ECHINACEA (Echina'cea)

DESCRIPTION: These hardy perennials are from North America and belong to the Daisy family, Compositae. E. purpurea, the Purple Coneflower, is an upright growing plant with dark green, lance-shaped leaves. It produces large, daisy-like cerise crimson flowers with a domed brown center. These are borne one to a stem during the summer. This plant grows up to 4 feet high and spreads about 20 inches or so. The flowers are great for cutting.

POTTING: These plants will flourish in any good garden soil and don't require any special treatment. Moist, fertile, humus-rich soil is the best, however. They should be grown in full sun. Planting should be done in the spring or autumn.

PROPAGATION: Purple Coneflowers may be increased by lifting and dividing them in the spring or by root cuttings at that same time. Seeds may also be sown in a cold frame in April to provide blooming plants the ensuing year.

VARIETIES: E. purpurea & varieties The King and Taplow Crimson.

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