Echinacea, also known commonly as Coneflower belongs to a group of herbaceous flowering plants in the daisy family. They’re perennial natives of North America and are found in prairies and open, wooded areas. Coneflowers are widely popular plants in the Okanagan and beyond, with good reason. They hardy, easy to grow, they bloom from summer to fall and require little maintenance. The flowers are deer resistant, attract many butterflies, hummingbirds and other pollinators.
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Echinacea (Coneflower) - Okanagan Growing Guide.

Echinacea features a dark green foliage with flower heads measuring 2 to 4 inches in diameter. A mounded, brown, central cone is surrounded by pink, purple, yellow or white petals or ray flowers. Depending on the species, ray flowers extend straight out from the center or tend to slightly reflex downward.

Known around the world for its medicinal properties and its versatility as a cut flower, there are ten distinct species of naturally occurring, purple Echinacea. To the gardener’s delight, the horticultural industry has created countless hybrids of pale purple, or yellow, red, orange, pink, green or even multi-coloured specimen that are widely available.

Planting & Growing Echinacea
Plant in spring, spacing plants 1 to 3 feet apart, depending on the variety ▪Grow coneflowers in full sun to light shade and well drained, fertile soil▪  Dig a hole twice the diameter of the pot the plant is in ▪ Carefully remove the plant from its container and place it in the hole so the top of the root ball is level with the soil surface ▪ Carefully fill in around the root ball and firm the soil gently ▪ Water thoroughly
 
Soil: Tolerant of rocky, clay or sandy soils, Echinacea plants prefer soil that’s rich in organic matter. Good drainage is essential to prevent root rot. For containers, use a high quality all-purpose potting mix.
 
Watering: As these plants are somewhat drought tolerant, they prefer moderate water for best growth and flowering. Allow soil to dry out in between waterings. Irrigate more frequently during heat or dry spells.
 
Fertilizing & Pruning: Little or no supplemental fertilizers are required. Add a thin layer of compost around the base of plants each spring. Deadhead spent flower heads to prolong bloom time. Cut back dead growth before plants break dormancy.
 

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Popular Echinacea Hybrids
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Echibeckia ‘Summerina Yellow’
An intergeneric cross between two popular perennials offering the appearance of Rudbeckia with the hardiness of Echinacea. Large 3″ flowers consisting of golden yellow petals with an orange inner halo surrounding a dark brown cone. Flowers from early summer to mid-fall. Plant size: 23 inches tall x 18 inches spread.

 Echinacea (Coneflower) - Okanagan Growing Guide

Echinacea purpurea ‘Magnus Superior’
Magnus Superior offers the best and most showy blooms of any Coneflower. A sturdy, erect perennial with purple stems and giant, daisy-like flowers up to 18cm across with a bronze central cone and deep purplish-pink petals held almost horizontally. Plant size: 36 inches tall x 18 inches spread.

 Purple Magnus Superior Echinacea - Echinacea - Okanagan Growing Guide

Read Also About: Beneficial Native Plants For Okanagan Gardens

Echinacea purpurea ‘PowWow White’
Magnus Superior offers the best and most showy blooms of any Coneflower. A sturdy, erect perennial with purple stems and giant, daisy-like flowers up to 18cm across with a bronze central cone and deep purplish-pink petals held almost horizontally. Plant size: 24 inches tall x 16 inches spread.

 Echinacea purpurea ‘PowWow White’ - Okanagan Growing Guide

Echinacea purpurea ‘Butterfly Kisses’
An upright, compact, clump-forming perennial to 1.5 feet tall with toothed, dark green leaves. Fragrant, double flowers to 3 inches in diameter are borne on sturdy, branched stems from summer into autumn and comprise a dark pink, pompom-like central cone surrounded by pale pink ray florets. Plant size: 18 inches tall x 16 inches spread.

 

 Echinacea purpurea ‘Butterfly Kisses’ - Okanagan Growing Guide

Echinacea x hybrida Artisan Red Ombre
Red Ombre, part of the Artisan Collection, produces very large, single flowers with petals that open red and age to rusty-orange shades surrounding a spiky, gold-brown cone centre. Ideal for sunny borders and growing in mixed containers. Attractive to butterflies. Excellent for cutting. Plant size: 16 to 28 inches tall x 10 to 25 inches spread.

 Echinacea x hybrida Artisan Red Ombre - Okanagan Growing Guide

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Echinacea ‘Mooodz Awake’
An attractive coneflower that bears rich purple-pink flowers with red centres, on dark, strong stems, from July until September. It’s extremely attractive to bees and other pollinators, and makes excellent cut flower. Grow in at the front of the border or in containers, in full sun. Plant size: 23 inches tall x 19 inches spread.

Nicholas Alexander Home and Garden Centre carries the Okanagan’s most extensive collection of Echinacea flowers. The friendly and knowledgeable staff will be happy to assist you in finding the right plant for your garden.

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