- Variety Info
- Sowing Info
- Growing Info
Variety Info
Family: Asteraceae
Native: United States
Hardiness: First year flowering perennial. Hardy perennial in USDA zones 3-8
Exposure: Full sun to part shade. In very hot summer climates, provide some afternoon shade. In light shade, echinacea produces slightly deeper colored flowers.
Bloom Period: Summer to frost
Plant Dimensions: 2'-3' tall, 18"-6" wide
Variety Info: 3"-4" bloom with short, flat, lime-green petals surrounding a bronze or greenish-gold, cone-like center.
Sowing Info
When to Sow Outside: 2 to 4 weeks before your average last frost date, or in fall for spring germination. Ideal soil temperature for germination is 65°-70°F. Cool soil temperatures may delay germination.
When to Start Inside: 10 to 12 weeks before your average last frost date (may bloom first year if started indoors).
Days to Emerge: 10-20 days
Seed Depth: 1/4"
Seed Spacing: A group of 3 seeds every 18"
Thinning: When 1" tall, thin to 1 every 18"
Growing Info
Harvesting: For longest vase life, harvest in the morning, choosing flowers whose petals are still expanding and are laying flat, before they are downturned. Change vase water frequently. The central cone also adds unique texture and interest to bouquets. Harvest cones once they have turned golden (remove petals) or once blooms are spent. To harvest roots for medicinal purposes, plants produce the best yield if they are at least 3 years old.
Special Care: Water plants during dry spells in the winter (even in cold climates). Also mulch soil surface over plants to provide winter protection. (Even though this is particularly good advice for echinacea, most perennials benefit from this procedure).