echinacea varieties

12 of the best echinaceas to grow

Echinacea 'Magnus' Echinacea purpurea 'Magnus' has rich purple-pink flowers. ...
Echinacea 'White Swan' ...
Echinacea 'Art's Pride' ...
Echinacea 'Sombrero Salsa Red' ...
Echinacea 'Southern Belle' ...
Echinacea 'Golden Skipper' ...
Echinacea 'Milkshake' ...
Echinacea 'Sunset'

Are all varieties of Echinacea medicinal?

There are nine different species of Echinacea, but only three of them are used as medicinal herbs (E. purpurea; Echinacea pallida; and Echinacea angustifolia). Purple coneflower has been used for centuries in both traditional and folk medicine.

What is the best echinacea plant?

Let's take a look at some of the best types of echinacea to plant in the garden.

Pink Double Delight. ...
Pink Shimmer. ...
Playful Meadow Mama. ...
Primadonna Deep Rose. ...
Solar Flare. ...
Sombrero. ...
Warm Summer. ...
White Swan.

How many species of echinacea are there?

Echinacea /ˌɛkɪˈneɪʃiə/ is a genus of herbaceous flowering plants in the daisy family. It has ten species, which are commonly called coneflowers.

Are there dwarf coneflowers?

Noted for its short stature, Echinacea 'Sensation Pink' is a dwarf Coneflower that stands out with its profusion of large, intense pink flowers, 3 in. ... This Coneflower has a compact habit and provides a breathtaking floral display in the garden from mid to late summer. Perfect for small gardens and containers.

Can you eat echinacea raw?

Coneflowers (Echinacea purpurea) is both an ornamental and an herb. ... Coneflowers also provide a key ingredient in many herbal tea blends. Although all parts of the plant are edible, the leaves and flower buds are most commonly harvested for herbal tea.

Does Echinacea self seed?

Echinacea purpurea will typically self-seed annually in the landscape; however, if growing plants from scratch, seeds can be started outdoors in the spring or summer, up to two months before frost. Keep in mind that plants started from seed can take two or more years to develop into a sizeable plant.

Does Echinacea come back every year?

While purple coneflowers (Echinacea purpurea) are the most common, you'll also find lots of new varieties of coneflowers in an array of happy colors, like pink, yellow, orange, red, and white. They don't just delight for a season, either, as these are perennial flowers that will come back year after year.

Should I deadhead echinacea?

So when asked about deadheading Echinacea plants, I usually recommend only deadheading spent blooms through the blooming period to keep the plant looking beautiful, but leaving spent flowers in late summer-winter for the birds. You can also deadhead Echinacea to prevent it from reseeding itself all over the garden.

Is Echinacea a perennial?

Purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) is a popular perennial in Zones 3-9.

Does Echinacea really work?

Recent research suggests that some echinacea supplements may shorten the duration of a cold by about half a day and may slightly reduce symptom severity. But these results were too minor to be deemed significant. In the past, some studies have found echinacea to be helpful while other studies have found no benefit.

Will coneflowers spread?

Spacing: Coneflowers are clumping plants. One plant will tend to get larger, but it will not spread and overtake the garden via roots or rhizomes.

Is purple coneflower the same as echinacea?

Echinacea is one of the three different genera known as coneflowers. Some well-known species in the Echinacea genus include Echinacea angustifolia and Echinacea purpurea. Members of the Echinacea species are known by their common name, purple coneflowers, or (confusingly) just coneflowers.

Can coneflowers grow in shade?

Coneflowers prefer well-drained soil and full sun for best bloom. Choose a location where the coneflowers won't get shaded out nor shade out others. They may reach between 2 and 4 feet in height, depending on variety. ... Coneflowers are drought tolerant.

Are coneflowers Hardy?

Coneflowers are quintessential prairie plants. Native to eastern North America, they are hardy, drought-tolerant, long-blooming, and cultivated in an ever-widening range of colors.

What colors are coneflowers?

Today you can find coneflowers in many shades, including cherry red, gold, rose pink, coral and tangerine orange. Bicolor beauty abounds, as well. Look for orange and gold blends on 'Flame Thrower' coneflower or rose and orange tones in 'Big Sky Summer Sky' coneflower.

Who should not take echinacea?

have a medical condition that affects your immune system, such as an autoimmune disease, HIV or AIDS. are taking drugs to suppress your immune system, because it may work against them. are under the age of 12 – the medical health regulatory association (MHRA) says there is a risk of allergic reactions such as skin ...

Does Echinacea boost immune system?

Echinacea is best known for its beneficial effects on the immune system. Numerous studies have found that this plant may help your immune system combat infections and viruses, which could help you recover faster from illness ( 8 , 9 , 10 ).

What are the side effects of echinacea?

Some side effects have been reported such as fever, nausea, vomiting, bad taste, stomach pain, diarrhea, sore throat, dry mouth, and headache. In rare cases, echinacea has been reported to cause serious allergic reactions and liver damage. When applied to the skin: Echinacea is POSSIBLY SAFE short-term.

Why is my echinacea dying?

Sudden wilting usually indicates a root problem. With coneflowers, a root rot or a fungal disease right at soil level will kill the plants. Poor soil drainage is the usual cause.

Is Echinacea invasive?

Echinacea plants are drought-tolerant once established, making them well-suited to today's water-conscious plantings. ... In ideal conditions, Echinacea plants can almost be invasive in a garden bed. At the very least, you'll have plenty of young plants to share, as well as spread throughout your garden.

Does Echinacea attract bees?

The purple coneflower, also known as echinacea, is one of the biggest bee attractors. Drawn to the wildflower for its color, bees forage on both the nectar and the pollen that the plant produces. It blooms for a long period during mid-summer to fall, providing many months of nectar for the bees.