The information on this page applies to seedlings sold by LEAF Nursery during our 2021 Seedling Sale.
Echinacea purpurea. This treasured, heirloom wildflower, native to the eastern U.S., is a long-lived perennial that blooms for a month or more beginning in midsummer. The pinkish-purple petals of the stunning, daisy-like flowers surround a large, dark brown cone. Petals begin to droop as the cone enlarges and fills with seeds, which attract birds in the fall and winter. Echinacea grows well in a variety of conditions, and is excellent for borders and water-wise gardens. Perfect for fresh cut flowers.[1]
Seed Type
| Organic | Heirloom | Non-GMO | Hybrid | Open-pollinated | Untreated |
Additional Information
| Container Friendly | Trellis Needed | Easy to Grow | Pollinator Friendly |
When to Plant Your Seedling
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
Growing Conditions
| Light | Temperature | Soil | Water |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full Sun to part shade | 55-100 F | Rich, well drained soil | Moderate water, water soil not leaves |
Planting Tips
| Plant Spacing | Plant Size | Days to Maturity |
|---|---|---|
| 18" | 3-4' |
- Additional instructions: 2"–3" long, drooping lavender petals surrounding a purple/maroon/brown conical center on tall stems above foliage. Blooms summer to frost. Cut Flowers, Deer Resistant.[1] Remove dead foliage and stems as needed. Coneflowers aren’t heavy feeders. You can maintain their health and vigor with an application of 12-6-6 slow-release fertilizer annually, just before new leaves emerge. During dry periods, give these colorful beauties one inch of water once a week. No supplemental water is required during the rainy season. Numerous Plains tribes, such as the Cheyenne and Sioux, used echinacea as an antiseptic and painkiller. They also used it to treat insect and snake bites. Today, many herbal medicine adherents use the plant’s roots to treat viral and bacterial infections, reduce inflammation, and heal wounds.[4]
- Harvesting instructions: Deadhead spent blooms to encourage more blooming
Common Diseases and Pests
- Aphids, beetles, mites, powdery mildew[4]
Useful Resources
- https://www.botanicalinterests.com/product/Purple-Coneflower-Echinacea-Seeds
- https://www.botanicalinterests.com/product/Cut-Flower-Gardening-10-Tips-for-Success
- https://www.botanicalinterests.com/product/Making-Cut-Flowers-Last-Longer
- https://gardenerspath.com/plants/flowers/guide-growing-echinacea
- https://sfbaygardening.com/resources/bay-area-planting-calendar/
If you bought this seedling and have any questions or feedback, let us know in the comment section below.