White Swan Echinacea Seeds

Introduced in 1987 by Thompson & Morgan Seed Company, White Swan echinacea is a popular adaptation of the classic ‘’purple coneflower.’’ This warm weather perennial grows beautiful dome-shaped white flowers that are beloved for their familiar appearance, floral pine-honeyed notes and medicinal properties.

Blooming from early to late summer, White Swan echinacea is sure to add a touch of elegance to your perennial flower garden, beds and borders. It also adapts well to container gardening with minimal care. 

The bright-white flowers reach 3-4 inches wide, with a golden centre and a thick stem that develops on top of upright shrubs that reach 2-3 feet tall. White Swan echinacea can thrive in a variety of soils and is resistant to drought, heat and humidity. Often visited by butterflies and hummingbirds, they are a great pollinator magnet and are also deer resistant. White Swan echinacea makes stunning long-lasting cut-flower bouquets.

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.