Echinacea: Coneflower

Family: Asteraceae

Genus: Echinacea (ek i nā sha)

Common Name: Purple coneflower, coneflower, Hedgehog, Kansas Snakeroot, Scurvy root.

Echinacea has long been cultivated for its medicinal qualities. The roots, leaves, flowers and seeds of E. angustifolia, E. pallada and E. purpurea are most commonly used in the herbal trade for their immune supporting qualities. Generally, roots can be harvested when they are 2-3 years old. The pollen and seeds are also extremely beneficial for bees, and the seeds are food for the birds.

Coneflowers prefer full sun, average to lean soil and regular water for the first year. They are quite drought tolerant once established. These beauties bloom in June through September, and you can deadhead for a smaller second bloom. Echinacea combines beautifully with Agastache, grasses, Kniphofia (Red Hot Poker), and Perovskia (Russian Sage).

Classically, Echinacea come in pale pink, dark pink and white. Within the last few decades, breeders have hybridized Echinacea into a wonderful array of colors, sizes, and fragrances. Now you can find coneflowers in practically every shade of the rainbow: pinks, reds, oranges, yellows, and even green. With all the new varieties out there, it can be tough to figure out which one will thrive in your garden. Generally, our soils in the Portland area are heavy clay, and drainage is mediocre. Echinacea varieties with thinner, heavily veined leaves—such as ‘Tiki Torch’ or ‘Flame Thrower’—are usually more sensitive to drainage.

New introductions continue to bring us more petal and cone colors, sturdier growth habits, and fluffy double blooms. Whether you choose a fancy cultivar or one of the good old fashioned ones, Echinacea is sure to bring you gardening joy. They are great cut flowers and the seed heads are gorgeous in the fall and winter when kissed by the frost. They are fun to combine with ornamental grasses, sedums and Rudbeckia. You can even eat the new leaves in salads to give it a zing that will truly make your tongue tingle.