Echinacea

3-5' tall. Echinos means ‘spiny’ and coneflower’s spiny seedheads are beautiful surrounded by a single row of reflexed petals. Wonderful late summer blooms attract butterflies and bees and make good cutflowers; dew collects in the spiral mandala coneheads.

Possibly the best-known of the medicinal herbs, widely used as an immune-system stimulant. At least 14 native North American nations used Echinacea for similar purposes: sore throat, toothache, infection, wounds, snake bite and skin disorders. Medicinal benefits vary among the different species. E. purpurea and angustifolia are considered the standard for making medicinal tincture. E. paradoxa shares some of the immune-stimulating compounds as purpurea but in our opinion is best planted for the birds and the bees as a complement to your purpurea patch.

Growing Echinacea

Tolerates wind, heat and drought once established. Will reseed. Plant 20–30" apart in full sun and light sandy soil.

• From seed: Start indoors at 70–75°, germinates in 15–20 days. Grow on at 60–65°. Set out 18–24" apart.
• Bare root plants: Plant 20–30" apart.