UNTIL a couple of decades ago the purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) was an uncommon herbaceous perennial usually represented by E.p. ‘Magnus’. Now they are a familiar sight, making tall plants usually around 3ft (1m) high bearing their self-supporting stems of large, purple-pink, daisy-like blooms from July to September. Their natural glamour and nectar-rich flowers are a welcome addition to herbaceous, mixed or prairie-style plantings. There are nine species of echinacea originally from the prairies, meadows, barrens and open woodland of eastern North America where they are now scarce in the wild.
Inspired by the proud bristly cones of disc florets, their name originates from the Greek echinos meaning spiny as in sea urchins or hedgehogs. My favourite is ethereal E. pallida, whose wan shuttlecocks of narrow reflexed petals rise like ghosts, and I’m longing to try the yellow coneflower E. paradoxa. Plant breeders have been hard at work, delivering coneflowers with a wider range of colours, from whites to green, shades of apricot and mango, pinks and reds. There are tufty-looking double blooms and compact cultivars, such as pink ‘Kim’s Knee High’ at 15-24in (38-60cm) that is suitable for smaller spaces and containers.
Drifts of coneflowers
To begin with, my relationship with echinaceas was love-hate, as plants set in our rich clay soil would rot and disappear during winter. While very hardy, echinaceas are firmly adapted to the sudden onset of crisp, cold winter weather followed by a distinct spring. The wavering temperatures of a mild, damp Devonshire winter had them confused and off to meet their maker until we tried a slightly raised border where pots of gritty compost had been emptied out. Suddenly our echinaceas settled, sent down deep roots, bulked up and now return every summer.
Denne historien er fra July 17, 2021-utgaven av Amateur Gardening.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Denne historien er fra July 17, 2021-utgaven av Amateur Gardening.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
To dig or not to dig?
Should we be carrying out a full dig on plots now? Bob considers the pros and cons of the 'autumn dig' debate
The box ball blues
As if his beleaguered box hadn't already taken a beating, Toby now has to deal with some hungry box caterpillars
Save your own seeds
Masterclass on: seed saving
Strange sightings
Three unusual insects turn up in Val's garden in one day
A bolt from the blue!
Cornflowers are perfect for garden and vase
Winter moth prevention
Ruth shows you how to avoid maggoty tree fruits
Create a winter container
There are as many options as in summer
Lightweight gardening tools
AS well as being good for our mental health, gardening is also great exercise.
Autumn price round-up
AG finds better bargains in lesser-known brands
Rudbeckias
Rudbeckias are ideal for sunny summer patios and borders, with some able to survive our coldest winters