Family: Asteraceae
Common Name: Coneflower

These showy perennials have large, daisy-like flowers from mid to late summer and are excel-lent for border planting. Their flowers are prominent, globe- or cone-shaped discs sur­rounded by slightly recurved ray florets. E. pur­purea has a long history of use in herbal medicine. E. angustifolia also has potential. Research is continuing as these plants appear to increase the body's resistance to infection.

Species

E. angustifolia has lance-shaped, entire leaves and rose-purple to white summer flowers.

E. purpurea, purple coneflower, has broadly lance-shaped, toothed leaves and rose-purple flowers, with orange cone-shaped cen­ters. It grows 1-2 m (3-6 ft). Cultivar 'Alba' has white ray flowers with greenish central discs. In suitable conditions the clumps multiply a good deal each season.

Cultivation

Echinacea is easy to grow, but does best in a deep, rich loam and in a sunny posi­tion. While it thrives with regular summer watering, it can tolerate dry periods once estab­lished. It may require tying. Propagate from seed, by division in autumn or early winter, or from root cuttings.

Climate

The following species thrive in zone 3.