Purple Coneflower Echinacea Seeds

Echinacea Purple Coneflower is very easy to grow because it is one of the hardiest and most forgiving perennial wildflowers. Popular in gardens, borders and walkways, the seeds can produce flowers the first year if planted early. Coming back year after year if the bed is well-maintained, Purple Coneflower blooms will be on display for a long time, from July to October.

The sturdy slender stems can reach up to 4 feet tall and bear beautiful 2-4-inch bright-mauve, fuchsia-coloured flowers with golden center cones. Although it prefers well-drained soil in a full sun location, the adaptive plant is tolerant to drought, heat, humidity and poor soils. Very popular amongst bees, butterflies and other pollinators, Echinacea Purple Coneflower also makes beautiful natural fresh cut bouquets and dried flower arrangements.

Echinacea has been used medicinally for millenniums by the Indigenous people of the Great Plains and other nations living nearby. The flowers were used by traditional healers to treat burns, pain and insect and snake bites, while the roots were used to treat toothache, infections, cough, cold, flu, stomach cramps and other symptoms.

Although Echinacea was quickly adopted by early settlers, it was only first described during the Lewis and Clark expedition of 1804-06. Echinacea Purple Coneflower was said to ‘’grow in great profusion’’ in the prairie lands and open woods, ranging from southern Canada to Texas.

During the 1870s, a certain Dr. Meyer learned about the plant’s healing qualities from the Native American tribe of Nebraska and proceeded to convince a pharmaceutical manufacturer to offer extracts of the plants as an anti-infective agent. During the 1890s, medical studies conducted in Germany and Switzerland propelled the cultivation of the plant in Europe and it quickly became widely used for its healing properties. By the 1920s, the plant was one of the most popular medicinal plants used in the U.S. until it lost its popularity in the 1930s, as more effective anti-infective treatments were developed for the pharmaceutical market.

GROWING INSTRUCTIONS

The North American native has evolved to be one of the most common flowers found in wild prairies and possibly just as prevalent in home gardens. Purple coneflowers are drought-tolerant, hardy and develop long-standing blooms.

Among all of the varieties of coneflower, Echinacea purpurea is the most popular. Instead of a long taproot, like other varieties, purple coneflower has a fibre-like network of roots. This feature makes it the most favourable type to grow in the garden, easily divided and transplanted. The central cone within the daisy-like petals attracts bees, butterflies and hummingbirds. What’s not to love?

Seeds can be started inside or out, but should first go through a period of stratification. If starting seeds outside, simply plant seeds in the garden in the fall. They’ll experience the cold winter and be ready to sprout fresh in the spring.

When starting indoors, plant seeds in moist soil, seal the container and put it into the refrigerator for eight to ten weeks. Remove seeds from the fridge and plant them 1 cm deep in pots. Cover well with soil, as they need darkness to germinate. In about two weeks, when seeds sprout, move them under grow lights. Keep the lights just 3-5 cm above the seedlings.

Plant coneflowers in full sun so that they reach their maximum potential height and yield. They will survive in most types of soil, as long as it is not overly damp. Drainage is important so try mixing in some compost at the time of planting. Providing 3 cm of water per week should suffice for established plants. Daily watering is advised for young plants and fresh transplants.

Established coneflowers thrive in their native prairie-like conditions. Hot and dry weather is the perfect combination. Fertilizing shouldn’t be necessary as long as they receive an input of compost once or twice a year. Deadheading the spent flowers will ensure blossoming throughout the season.

Coneflowers may not produce the desired flowers in the first year, but will only become hardier and more prolific over the next seasons. Heading into the first winter, some cold protection would be helpful. A thick layer of mulch will prevent a heavy frost from damaging the established roots. Leave stalks standing during the winter to feed the birds and shear them back in the spring. Blooms should first appear in early summer and will be enjoyed by insects, animals and humans alike, until the first frost. 

QUICK FACTS

- A few First Nations named echinacea the ''thirst plant'' because the roots can be consumed if water is scarce during a crisis situation. 

- Echinacea seeds will remain viable for 2 years if stored in a cool, dark place, ideally between 4 and 10⁰C. After that, the germination rate may start to go down.