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Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)
Like magnolias in the Deep South, cactus in Arizona, and ivy in New England, purple coneflowers exude pride of place. They're rugged midwestern prairie plants whose erect stems and durable flowers also make them ideal for a cutting garden. Butterflies and bees love the flowers. When the petals fade and fall, the golden brown center remains with seeds, adding interest in a winter garden, and attracting birds. Purple coneflower is not invasive.
FAVORITE SELECTIONS
"Bright Star" - a classic that grows to 2 feet tall.
"White Swan" - has white flowers
Echinacea paradoxa - Bush's coneflower, yellow-flowered native speciy. Use in Prairie garden.
GARDEN COMPANIONS
- yarrows
- coreopsis
- daylilies
- liatris
- salvia
- upright sedums
- tall, golden grasses, such as feather reed grass
The flowers also are nicely set off by lime green plants like lady's-mantle, and plants with silver foliage such as artemisia and lamb's ears.
TLC
Piching back the growing tips of stems in spring results in bushier plants with smaller but more numerous blooms. Remove spent flowers to encourage more bloom, but allow later blooms to form attractive seed heads for winter interest. Plants will self-sow; leave the seedling undisturbed or move them while they're still young.
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