Echinacea 'Purple Coneflower'

Common purple coneflower. Easy-to-grow echinacea. Vigorous plants with large, purple-petaled flowers. Fibrous roots are easy to harvest (other species have taproots). Attracts and is a food source for bees. Also known as purple coneflower and eastern purple coneflower. Normally grown for 3–4 years for harvest of sizeable roots. Perennial in Zones 3–10.


DETAILS:

SITE: Sun

TYPE: Perennial

DEPTH: 1/8"

GERMINATION: 10-15 days at 18-21C

MATURITY: 300-365

HEIGHT: 24-36"

SPACING: 18-24"

HOW TO GROW:
Transplant (recommended): Sow 8-10 weeks before planting outside. Transplant into cell packs or larger containers after the first true leaves appear, 30-40 days after sowing the seed. Harden off and transplant outside in late spring or early summer.
Direct seed: Sow in spring when soil is warm, 18°C. Sow in groups of 3-4 seeds, 1/8" deep. Thin to one plant. Sow in the fall to allow the oscillating temperatures and natural rain to stimulate germination.