Echinacea purpurea – the garden plant used as medicine for centuries !

Design and InstallationGarden Caregarden TriviaIndoor plantsPlant Health CareUncategorized
Written By Peter Morris

Description

A native of Eastern US, this pretty pinkish-purple flower blooms readily in mid summer on a tall dark centered spike.  These in turn forms interesting black brown spiked pods as they form seeds. 

The purple coneflower - as its more commonly known - will rebloom again if the spent flowers are removed once the petals have faded.

The Genus name is Greek for meaning 'spiny one' and the species name means reddish-purple.A common houseplant in the Araliaceae family. It’s common name is dwarf umbrella tree - as it resembles a smaller version of the larger umbrella tree,

Environment

This herbaceous perennial prefers moist prairies, meadows and open woods of the central to southeastern United States.  They do not always survive extreme winters when grown in containers here in NYC.

the pinkish purple garden butterfly feeder !

Flowers

The attractive ray bright pinkish petals surround a center of dark purplish brown disc flowers. The petals characteristically drupe downward. Loved by bees and butterflies !!!

a new Orange variety !

Yellow Echinacea paradoxa - reminds me of Rudbeckia !

Plant Problems

Japanese beetles and leaf spot are occasional problems. The biggest liability is root rot caused by phytophthora disease.  This in turn is usually initiated by keeping the soil too wet ! 

Some new cultivars have shown excellent resistance to phytophthora.

Care

Easily grown in average, dry to medium, well-drained soil in full sun to part shade. Best in full sun. An adaptable plant that is tolerant of drought, heat, humidity and poor soil. It does not like wet soil.

Ethnobotany

Native Americans considered this plant as a blood purifier. Today, echinacea is used mainly as an immune stimulant in order to prevent cold, influenza, and other infections.  It is one of the most popular herbs in the United States and Europe.

Toxicity

Although not considered poisonous, ingesting large amounts will cause gastrointestinal issues. Best to keep children and pets away !

Cultivars

Available in a multitude of colors now – white, bright pink, orange, salmon, and pinkish red.

 

E. variety “pow wow” 

 Pastel salmon two tone with pink - it certainly dazzles !

We use all of them in windy gardens because they are tough !

Call us - we know !

PLANT SPECIALISTS

GREENING NEW YORK FOR OVER 53 YEARS !

Article written by our Staff Horticulturist, Peter B Morris, BSc, MSc, MBA

All photographs used with permission @SHUTTERSTOCK

Peter Morris

Peter was born and raised on a beautiful green island in the midst of a tropical rainforest. He was introduced into the world of plants at the age of six when his grandmother, an avid Spanish gardener herself, asked him to help her grow seeds for her pepper garden. He was hooked! By the time he was a teen, he had his own rose and orchid collection numbering in the hundreds. Botany was in his blood, and that is what he set out to study.

His passion brought him to NY in the late seventies to further his education. His tenacity allowed him to work full time at Plant Specialists while he completed a MS in Plant Biology. As a manager at the time he felt unsatisfied with his knowledge of business and business processes. Peter felt compelled to learn, so he then pursued and completed an MBA in Quality Management within a few short years.

Peter’s other passion is teaching. His natural ability is quickly consumed by our staff in all subjects in Botany, Horticulture, and Landscaping. He created an immense reference library of more than 3,500 plants providing an invaluable resource for our staff.

Peter’s breadth of knowledge and wisdom allows him to effectively diagnose the needs of plants. Sometimes just by walking into a garden he can create a prescription that fixes even the hardest issue. He is our Staff Botanist, Diagnostician, and all around Mentor. Recently, he has put his immense knowledge and skills into developing a new department that focuses on Plant Healthcare. As he puts it, “Magic through Science”. The PHC staff that surround him have avidly consumed his teachings. Substantially developing their own plant wisdom, many have taken on difficult plant health issues with spectacular results.

Plant Healthcare has been an instant success with customers! The proper treatment of insects and diseases including Organic methods has made pest control a necessity for every plant. Correcting hormonal imbalances caused by planting in containers or refurbishing soils leached of nutrients by irrigation systems are big challenges PHC has become quite comfortable addressing. The scientific approach to the complex demands of keeping plants healthy in our harsh city environment has made many a customer say WOW!

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Schefflera arboricola