Echinacea - Purple coneflowers and much more

8/7/2019 Echinacea - Purple coneflowers and much more

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Echinacea Explosion

The Coneflower Chronicles

By Dennis Carey and Tony Avent

Plant Delights Nursery, Inc.

www.plantdelights.com

9241 Sauls Road

Raleigh, NC 27603

919.772.4794

Echinacea 'Katie Saul'
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It is not an exaggeration to say that purple coneflower is the one of the finest perennialsin the United States. Echinacea is a native plant that produces large, conspicuous flowersover a long period of time. It is tough, drought tolerant, easy to grow, attracts wildlife tothe garden, and cold hardy in almost every state. In short, coneflowers have a lot goingfor them. The last 10 years ofEchinacea breeding have been nothing short of amazing.

Gardeners have been blessed with incredible breakthroughs in color, flower form, andeven scent. You can stimulate your garden (and your immune system) by growing these!

We at Plant Delights Nursery and Juniper Level Botanic Garden grow many wonderful,new, and rare echinacea. We currently have 65 accessions ofEchinacea in the garden andwe offer the finest and most unique cultivars for sale through our mail order nursery. Weurge our readers to visit the garden during our Open House days to see our collection andcheck out our web site to view our offerings.

History and Background

The common name for most Echinaceaspecies is "purple coneflower". That is a bit of amisnomer as not every Echinaceahas purple flowers. Echinacea paradoxa has yellowflowers, and the modern Echinacea hybrids display a rainbow of colors.

There are nine Echinacea species that are distributed across the eastern and midwesternUS in rocky open woods, barrens, meadows, roadsides, clear cuts, dry limestone bluffs,power line rights of way and prairies from New Mexico east to Florida, and north toSaskatchewan and Ottawa, Canada. The area of greatest species richness is in thegrasslands of Oklahoma and Missouri. In general, coneflowers prefer sunny sites withlow levels of competition, plus high levels of magnesium and calcium. Periodicdisturbance (fire, grazing, etc.) is necessary for the maintenance of their preferred openconditions. Echinaceais very drought tolerant and survives in places that receive as littleas 15" of rain per year.

Echinacea purpuea was discovered in 1699 and by 1895, it was popular in Europeangardens as a medicinal herb and an ornamental flower. The Germans started improvingEchinacea purpurea in the 1960s by making cultivar selections. The popularity ofEchinacea purpurea started to surge in the 1980s and 1990s, especially after Echinaceapurpurea 'Magnus' was awarded the 1998 Perennial Plant of the Year award from thePerennial Plant Association. Until 2003, most gardeners only grew the single-flowered,full-sized, purple-colored Echinacea purpurea. A few horticultural cognoscenti grewsome white-flowered selections of Echinacea purpurea or the rare yellow-floweredspecies Echinacea paradoxa.

Then modern ornamental breeders got hold of Echinacea purpurea and blew the lid off ofthe genus. The Echinacea explosion started in 1997 when Jan van Winsen of Warmond,The Netherlands found a double-flowered seedling in his cut flower fields. It was the firstof its kind in the world. After a marketing mis-start he passed it off to his friend, Marcovan Noort, who successfully marketed it as 'Razzmatazz' in 2003. It was an immediate hitand lead to the breeding and release of many other double flowered purple coneflowers.
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In 1968 Ronald McGregor published a monograph that first documented the possibility ofinterspecies crosses within the genus Echinacea, but it wasn't until 1995 that thisinformation was put to the test when Dr. Jim Ault of the Chicago Botanic Gardenselected this genus for his native plant breeding program. When I visited in 2003, I was

dazzled to see the orange and pastel color combinations that Jim had created by mixingthe yellow Echinacea paradoxa with the purple-flowered species. Around the same time,Richard Saul of Saul Nursery of Georgia began a program that echoed Jim's work, exceptthat Richard based his program around Echinacea purpurea, while Jim's work wascentered on Echinacea tennesseensis. As it turned out, the Echinacea purpurea hybridsmade much better and longer-lived garden plants.

The next two Echinacea breeding programs to get cranked up were that of Terra NovaNurseries in Oregon and of Arie Bloom in Holland. Terra Nova focused on more intensecolors and Arie Blom's program focused on double-flowered forms. Additionally,everyone who has ever found a strange seedling in their garden has tried to bring their

plant to market. This resulted in some truly ugly specimens such as the painfullydeformed Echinacea 'Doppelganger'. Since 2003, there have been 5 or more new cultivarsreleased every year, each with some breakthrough characteristic. There has rarely everbeen an ornamental plant whose star has risen so fast. These breeders should becommended for their wonderful work. Plant Delights Nursery is happy to offer some oftheir best cultivars for sale and Juniper Level Botanic Garden displays many of these fineselections.

Echinacea purpurea is a perfect choice for a cut flower garden or a field-grown cut flowerfor fresh and dried flower markets because it has a large, long-lasting flower on a long,sturdy stem and is produced over a long period of time. The inflorescences remain openand colorful until they are pollinated, and then they fade and dry up without falling off.Modern hybrids often have reduced fertility or outright sterility which means that theirflowers remain colorful longer than the wild types. In addition to its ornamental appeal,Echinaceaattracts wildlife into the garden. The long lasting flowers are nectar sources formany flying insects including native bees, wasps, and butterflies. Additionally, theflowers serve as winter seed sources for many bird species, most notably the beautifulgoldfinch.

Non-Ornamental Uses

Echinaceais not just a great garden plant; it is also widely used as an herbal medicine(primarily Echinacea angustifolia and Echinacea purpurea). Great Plains tribes of NativeAmericans such as the Sioux, Lakota, Omaha, Winnebago, Kiowa, Crow, Hidatsa,Comanche, Pawnee, Choctaw, Delaware and Cheyenne have used preparations of theroots for over 400 years as a general cure-all. Native Americans exposed Europeancolonists to Echinaceaand it was used widely during the 18th and 19th centuries to treatscarlet fever, syphilis, malaria, blood poisoning, and diphtheria.

Echinacea purpurea was discovered by European explorers in the forests of the
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southeastern US in the 17th century and was first sent to England in 1699 by the naturalhistorian and Reverend, John Banister who had been sent to Virginia to study Americanflora and fauna.

Traditionally, Native Americans either chewed the pepper-flavored roots or they mashed

the roots to apply them as a poultice. Today, people use extracts, ointments, pills, tabletsor tinctures of the entire plant; roots, stems, leaves, and flower heads. It is popularlybelieved that Echinacea stimulates the immune system and reduces the length andseverity of colds, flu, sore throats, coughs, fevers, and infections. However, clinical trialshave been mixed; many have shown that it is effective but a few have shown that it is not.Some people swear by it, some totally reject it, and others are allergic to it.Echinaceawas the most widely used plant remedy in the US and Europe until the dawn of thepharmaceutical age when it fell out of favor. In the last 25 years Echinaceahas onceagain become a popular herbal remedy.

Echinaceais in the top ten for sales volume of herbs and botanicals in the US and

represents 9% of the global herb market. Echinacearoot prices swing wildly from $12 to$21 per pound. The global annual market for herbal formulations ofEchinacea has beenas high as $320 million in recent years. Farmers normally grow Echinacea purpurea forthe herbal market because it is easy to cultivate, but the wild collectors prefer to harvestEchinacea angustifolia because it has thicker roots and a larger native range. Echinaceapurpurea can be a difficult crop for farmers to financially justify because of the wildlyfluctuating prices and multi-year production cycle.

There is evidence thatEchinacea is allelopathic against some grass species. That is, itexudes a substance from its roots that inhibits the growth of nearby plants. There are nocurrent applications of this property, but the commercial potential is being investigated.Echinacea angustifolia extracts have insecticidal properties and have the potential use asan organic insecticide.

Morphology

Echinaceaare deciduous herbaceous perennials, all of which have a taproot except forEchinacea purpurea. Echinaceaform a slowly expanding clump that may be dividedevery few years to maintain vigor. The wild-type Echinacea are typically 2' wide and 3-4'tall. However, the high-plain taxa from Texas to Canada tend to be smaller than theeastern taxa. Modern hybrids have been selected for a smaller stature and range from lessthan 1 foot to 3' tall by 2' wide. In the wild, a single plant can live up to 40 years. In thegarden, they are best when divided every 4 years.

Like all plants in the Asteraceae family,Echinacea flowers are actually inflorescences; acollection of 200-300 small fertile florets bunched together on the cone, known as diskflorets. The disk florets are surrounded by a ring of sterile ray florets or what we refer toas petals. The entire inflorescence may be from 2" to 5" wide. The purpose of the rayflorets is to attract pollinators with their bright colors, while the disk florets are wherepollination occurs. If you look at a coneflower very carefully, you will note that the disk
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florets do not all shed pollen (reach anthesis) at the same time. The center disk floretsopen first, and proceed in an outward succession over the course of several days. You canwatch this procession and use it to estimate how much longer your flower is going to live.

The disk florets may be dark burgundy, black, white, yellow or orange. The traditional

color ofEchinacea ray florets is pinkish-purple and less commonly yellow or white.However, modern hybrids have broken through this color barrier and petals can be foundin shades of orange, peach, salmon, and reddish-orange. In wild-type echinacea, thepetals may be held outward but are usually reflexed downward to varying degrees. Thepetals may be wide and overlap each other, but are more commonly narrow with spacebetween them. Modern breeders have selected strongly for hybrids that have wide,overlapping, ray florets that are held outward. The wild-type Echinacea purpurea areoften only lightly scented but Echinacea simulata and some of the modern hybrids arevery sweetly scented.

The inflorescence is held on a strong, rigid, hirsute (hairy), usually unbranched stem

(peduncle) that grows to 36" tall or more. The exception to the unbranched stems arecultivars such as Echinacea 'The King' and Echinacea 'Elton Knight', which have amazingwidely-branched flower stalks. There may be small leaves spaced widely along the lengthof the flower stem. With many inflorescences produced in an overlapping sequencestarting in July and continuing until frost. The overall effect is up to a dozeninflorescences that are open simultaneously.

Culture

Echinacealove hot, humid, sunny conditions. They are great plants for southerngardeners but are also quite cold tolerant. Most of the wild-types are hardy in zones 3-8and can be grown almost anywhere in the continental US.

While Echinacea are well-adapted to nutrient-poor soils, you will get better performanceout of your plants if you amend your soil with a well-draining compost. Wet soils inwinter are sure to kill the newer hybrids, so plant them in well-drained soils or raisedbeds. Wild species grow in a variety of soil types including alkaline soil, dry sandy soil,glacial tills, fluvial silts, loess, clay, loam soils, and even coal mine spoils. They prefer apH between 6 and 7. The wild species Echinacea angustifolia and Echinacea pallida cantolerate more alkaline conditions while Echinacea paradoxa and Echinacea tennesseensisprefer a more acidic soil.Echinacea are tough native plants that are quite drought tolerantonce established in the garden. For best performance, however, we recommend at least 1-2" of water per week during the growing season.

Spent Echinacea flowers can be removed (dead-headed) to improve the generalappearance of the plant, but it is not necessary. At the end of the season, leave the spentflowers on the plant and you will be rewarded with fall and winter visits by goldfincheswho feed on the seeds.
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Propagation

Echinaceamay be propagated by seed or division, but remember that hybrid cultivars willnot come true from seed. All of the species are self-infertile to some degree. Gardenerswho want theirEchinaceato produce seed should plant at least 2 genetically distinct

individuals. If the flower heads are not removed, the wild-types will re-seed in thegarden. To grow Echinacea from seed, cut a stalk with a spent flower, enclose the flowerin a paper bag and hang the plant upside down. The plant will release the seeds into thebag when they are ready. Separate the seeds from the chaff, dry them for a few weeks,and then store them in a cool dry place. The seeds are best when used in less than a yearbut they remain viable for at least 7 years. If you plan on storing them for a long time, theseeds should be refrigerated. Unfortunately, many of the new hybrid cultivars havereduced viability or are totally sterile.

It is unclear ifEchinaceaseed has a cold stratification requirement. Scientific studieshave reported conflicting results. However, expert Echinaceabreeder Dr. Jim Ault of the

Chicago Botanic Garden gives his seeds 8 weeks of cold stratification. If sowing the seedindoors, surface-sow them in a pot at 68F (20C). Seed sown indoors or in a greenhousegerminate better than direct sown seed. To direct sow into the garden, plant the seeds "deep and a few inches apart in the early spring. After germination, separate or thin theseedlings so that the plants are a minimum of 18" apart.

Clonal Echinaceawill not come true from seed and are commercially propagated in tissueculture (micro cuttings taken in sterile lab conditions). New plants can be propagated bydividing established clumps. Dig around the clump, carefully lift it, and shake or wash offthe soil. You should be able to divide the crown by hand but you may need a knife. Therewill be several rooted plants in each clump. Pull them apart and re-plant immediately.Remember that most of the new hybrids are patented, making their propagation illegal,although no one is going to mind if you divide plants for your own use.

There is anecdotal evidence that severed Echinacea taproots and fibrous roots canregenerate an entire plant. About 25%-50% of the plants that are hand dug for the herbalindustry resprout the next year. All of the species except for Echinacea purpurea form ataproot and other thick fleshy roots and can be propagated via root cuttings. Place apencil-sized piece of root upright (top side up) in a container in fall.

It is also possible to propagate Echinacea using basal stem cuttings. Take 4" to 6"cuttings in the spring and treat with 1000ppm powdered IBA. All commercial hybrids arepropagated via tissue culture using axillary buds, stem cuttings, or individual cells.

Pests and Diseases

In the garden, deer and other grazing animals will eat the youngEchinacea plants butnormally avoid mature plants, unless they are desperate.Echinacea can occasionally beinfested by japanese beetles, root borers, aphids, cutworms, eriophyid mites, or tentcaterpillars. The insects can be controlled with a number of commercial lures, traps, or
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pesticides.

Bacteria, phytoplasma, fungal, and viral diseases are rare but do occur. Occasionally,plants will get a fungal leaf spot (cercospora) that is ugly but will not kill the plant.Remove the affected leaves and throw them away (do not compost them). Some

Echinaceacultivars are susceptible to powdery mildew (erysiphe), a white fungus presenton the leaves that detracts from the overall appearance of the plant but is not fatal.Similarly, the plant may be infected with the fungus botrytis, which is also not fatal.Fungus diseases can usually be managed by growing the plants where they receive goodaeration.

Wilt, blight, and root rot from fusarium or sclerotinia may also occur if the soils are kepttoo wet and the bacteria pseudomonas may cause brown leaf spots. Plants with any ofthese three diseases need to be removed and discarded as they can spread to other plantsand are ultimately fatal.

On the other hand, virus and phytoplasma are generally spread by insects and, short ofkeeping your plants unstressed, are hard to prevent. The most fascinating is aphytoplasma (first cousin to a virus) disease called "aster-yellows" that will cause thecentral cones to mutate and sprout leaves and green flowers. The disease results in bizarreplants that everyone wants to introduce and patent when they should be pulling them upand throwing them away. Eventually the plants will die. The disease has a large hostrange, so gardeners should be vigilant about removing sick plants.

Echinacea Conservation

Native Echinaceaspecies are dwindling in the wild from loss of habitat, slow re-colonization, and over-harvesting for the herbal industry. Despite the presence of manylarge herbal farms that grow echinacea, professional wild harvesters continue toindiscriminately harvest wild populations on private and public lands. Up to 200,000 lbsofEchinacearoot are being harvested every year from the wild, faster than the speciescan regenerate.Echinacea species require the presence of frequent fires and large grazingmammals to maintain its open habitat. Modern ecological practices have greatly reducedthe presence of grazing mammals in its native range and have all but eliminated naturalfire ecology. Many man-made sites such as highway rights of way could supportpopulations of echinacea, but they are too frequently cleared or treated with herbicides.Commercial, residential, or industrial development, road-building, intensive livestockgrazing, and off-road vehicle use are other major sources of habitat destruction.

Taxonomy

The name Echinacea comes from the Greek "echinos" meaning "hedgehog", which is areference to the spiny center cone. The name Echinacea been used several times in theLinnaean classification system. There is a superorder within class Echinoidea of seaurchins called echinacea. There is also a species of moth called Coleophora echinacea.Oddly enough there is no hedgehog that uses this name.
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Carl Linnaeus originally classified the plants as Rudbeckia purpurea in his seminaltaxonomic reference Species Plantarum in 1753. In 1790, they were moved into their owngenus called brauneria, but that name was quickly invalidated and they were moved backinto rudbeckia. Then in 1794, the Rudbeckia purpurea was separated from the genus

rudbeckia and was given its own genus, echinacea, by Conrad Moench. Echinaceawerealso invalidly referred to as helichroa for a short time.

Echinaceaare in the Asteraceae family (a.k.a Compositae). This is a huge plant family(currently 479 genera) that all have the same type of flower. Purple coneflowers arerelated to sunflowers, daisies, asters, mums, zinnias and many other "aster-like" plants.Taxonomists have not settled on the exact relationships between genera in the familyAsteraceae, so the tribes and subtribes within the family are in a constant state of flux.

The number of species within the genus varied widely throughout its history, but in 1968taxonomists finally settled on a list of nine species and four sub-species. The ubiquitous

eastern purple coneflower is Echinacea purpurea. Others in the genus are narrow-leafconeflower (Echinacea angustifolia), pale purple coneflower (Echinacea pallida),Tennessee coneflower (Echinacea tennesseensis), yellow coneflower (Echinaceaparadoxa), Topeka purple coneflower (Echinacea atrorubens), smooth purple coneflower(Echinacea laevigata), wavy-leaf purple coneflower (Echinacea simulata), and sanguinepurple coneflower (Echinacea sanguinea). Where their habitats overlap, the speciesreadily interbreed, so there are many populations of naturally occurring interspeciescrosses that have intermediate traits. In 2009, there were over 60 cultivars on the marketand the number increases by every year.

Echinacea Cultivar Groups

The modern hybrid Echinacea are so new that there are no formal cultivar groupsdefined, nor have any interspecific hybrid names been designated (some nurseries havetaken to using Echinacea hybrida but that name is not official). Based on the formsreleased since 2003, we can divide ornamentalEchinacea into the following cultivargroups based on flower type, leaf color, and habit:

Wild Types

The wild-type Echinacea group consists of seed strain cultivars and clonal selections ofindividual species chosen for improved flower color, flower architecture or plant habit.Flower color varies from pale pink to a saturated pink/purple, or (rarely) white.

Double-flowered hybrids

The double flowered hybrids may be any color including pink, purple, white, yellow,mango, or orange. The list of colors of double-flowered types expands every year. Theflowers may be:* anemone-formed (the disk florets are completely converted into small petals but the ray
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florets are unchanged)* tufted (most of the disk florets are intact but the top of the cone contains a tuft of smallpetals)* flower-over-flower (the disk florets are partially or completely converted into a newflower with its own ray florets and disk florets. The lower ray florets are unchanged)

* fully-double (the disk florets and ray florets are all petaloid and are all roughly the samesize so that you cannot tell one from the other).

Novelty color hybrids

The novelty color hybrids include all the new variants that have been created by breedingthe purple-flowered species (pastel pink to saturated pink/purple, rose-pink, white) withEchinacea paradoxa (yellow). The array of novel colors is quite stunning and includespastel to neon forms of yellow, orange, pink, purple, mango, coral, orange, salmon andall colors between. There is a green-flowered cultivar too. Breeders are filling in the colorpalette to cover the entire spectrum (except blue) and are extending the orange colors into

new territory that borders on red. There is one cultivar,Echinacea 'Green Envy', that iseven bicolored with pink and green petals.

Variegated

Variegated Echinacea are rare. There are not many variegated forms ofEchinaceaon themarket and the ones that are out there are not particularly vigorous. Variegation usuallytakes the form of white stippling on the leaves and is quite variable. Gardeners areanxiously awaiting the discovery of a stable, wide, white edge or white center but noneyet exist. Here at Plant Delights Nursery we have found a number ofEchinaceawithvariegated foliage but so far they have been unstable and quickly reverted to green.

Dwarf

The dwarf group includes any plant under 24" in height. Breeders have selected manydwarf forms whose flowers are full-sized.

Novelty flower architecture

The novelty flower type group currently contains only 1 stable selection. 'All that Jazz',from Kevin Hurd at Walters Gardens, has fluted petals that are rolled over in the middlemuch like a spoon-petaled osteospermum or gerbera.

The cultivar groups listed above highlight most of the traits that modern breeders areselecting for. They are extending the color palette, selecting for wide, erect petals, anddouble flowered plants. The new hybrids are often very sweetly scented. In addition,breeders are looking for hybrids that are easier to grow and more tolerate of wetconditions.
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Echinacea Species and Cultivars

Echinacea angustifolia (Narrow Leaf Coneflower)Echinacea angustifolia was not "officially" discovered by taxonomists until 1836, but in1805 the explorers Louis and Clark sent Thomas Jefferson specimens of the plant from

Fort Mandan during their famous exploration of the Louisiana Purchase lands. Theyreferred to it as 'Mad Dog Plant' in their packing list, and state that it is "highly prized bythe natives as an efficacious remedy in the cases of the bite of the rattle Snake or MadDog." This fantastic butterfly-attracting native, found from Canada south to Texas, is asstunning as Echinacea purpurea, just less known. The 30" tall stems are topped in latespring (mid-June) with large, attractive pink-purple heads, each composed of very narrowpetals. Even if you don't like the looks of coneflowers (I can't imagine), Echinaceaangustifolia is the most highly prized species for its medicinal properties...very popularamong nursery owners. (Hardiness Zone 3-8)

Echinacea laevigata (Smooth Purple Coneflower)

Echinacea laevigata is a Federal Endangered species native from Pennsylvania south toAlabama. Like all echinaceas, it needs an open glade-like habitat and has becomeendangered due to forest fire suppressions...gee, thanks Smokey. Echinacea laevigataproduces 3' tall flowers spikes with typical purple narrow petaled flowers. The leaves arenever cordate, like other echinacea. (Hardiness Zone 3-8)

Echinacea pallida (Narrow Petal Coneflower) This southeast native is kin to ourcommonly grown Echinacea purpurea, but with very narrow petals of pinkish purple atop3' stalks in mid summer. Echinacea pallida is particularly useful in perennial borders dueto its narrow form. (Hardiness Zone 5-8)

Echinacea paradoxa (Yellow Coneflower) The difficult-to-find yellow coneflower isindeed a paradox as all other coneflowers are either purple or white. This strange relativefrom the Midwest (don't we all have one of those) has narrow, fuzzy green leaves thatform a small basal clump which gives rise to 4'+ flower stems, topped in late spring withlarge yellow coneflowers with dark brown centers. (Hardiness Zone 4-9, possibly colder)

Echinacea purpurea (Purple Coneflower) Without question, Echinacea purpurea has themost garden value as evidenced by the extraordinary number of commercial cultivarslisted below. Because of its wide range in virtually every state East of the MississippiRiver except Minnesota, it has a wide range of adaptability. (Hardiness Zone 3-9)

Echinacea purpurea 'Alba' (White Coneflower) This is the commonly sold white-flowered seed strain of the purple coneflower. As with all seed strains, the plants aresomewhat variable. (Hardiness Zone 3-9)

Echinacea purpurea 'Avalanche' PP 18,597 (Avalanche Coneflower)Echinacea purpurea 'Avalanche' PP 18,597 is the best compact, single white-floweredconeflower in our trials. This 2006 Arie Blom hybrid makes a tight clump, adorned insummer with 20" tall spikes of large, white, horizontally-held petals...quite nice!
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(Hardiness Zone 3-9)

Echinacea purpurea 'Bright Star' (Bright Star Coneflower, syn: Echinacea purpurea'Leuchstern') This superb seed strain of our native coneflower is a bit taller than most (to3-4') and has a slightly larger and more horizontally held rosy purple petals. (Hardiness

Zone 3-9)

Echinacea purpurea 'Coconut Lime' PP 18,617 (Coconut Lime Coneflower) This 2006Arie Blom selection is topped with white, pompon style flowers with a hint of green.(Hardiness Zone 3-9)

Echinacea purpurea 'Cotton Candy' PPAF (Cotton Candy Coneflower) This 2008 ArieBlom introduction makes a compact plant with 3' tall stems, topped with large doublepink flowers, which we have found to rebloom well. (Hardiness Zone 3-9)

Echinacea purpurea 'Elton Knight' PP 18,133 (Elton Knight Coneflower) From the UK's

Anthony Brooks, gardener at Elton Hall, came Echinacea 'Elton Knight'. Echinacea 'EltonKnight' was one of only three coneflowers to receive the prestigious Award of GardenMerit in the Royal Horticultural Echinacea trials (2003). In our trials, Echinacea 'EltonKnight' stands apart not for its color, which is typical pinkish lavender, but for its sturdy2' tall compact architectural habit and great branching. The flower stalks are topped insummer with 5" wide flower heads of nice outwardly held petals. Echinacea 'EltonKnight' is named for Thomas Andrew Knight, a founding member of the RoyalHorticultural Society. (Hardiness Zone 3-9)

Echinacea purpurea 'Fatal Attraction' PP 18,429 (Fatal Attraction Coneflower) This 2006selection of our US native Echinacea purpurea is from Piet Oudolf's famed garden inHolland. Echinacea purpurea 'Fatal Attraction' PP 18,429 is unique because of the 26" tallsturdy wine black stems that hold the intense pink flowers...a favorite of garden visitors.Flowering begins in late June...be patient. (Hardiness Zone 3-9)

Echinacea purpurea 'Fragrant Angel'PP 16,054, PVR (Fragrant Angel Coneflower) Thissturdy 2004 release from Terra Nova Nurseries is the white counterpart ofEchinaceapurpurea 'Ruby Giant' and the best white coneflower we have ever grown. The giant 4-5"heads of pure white petals, around a contrasting orange cone, are also deliciouslyfragrant. Since these are clonally reproduced, each plant is identical for a more uniformplanting. (Hardiness Zone 3-9)

Echinacea 'Green Envy'(Green Envy Coneflower) When Mark Veeder first showed me aphoto of his 2008 Echinacea purpurea seedling introduction; I thought for sure this wasan April Fool's Photoshop creation. Only after growing and photographing the plantmyself, can I say for sure, it is truly this unique. The 20" tall stems are topped, starting inmid-June, with large 4.5" wide flowers composed of a dark cone with a green center.Surrounding the cone, are long petals that are pink toward the cone changing to lime-green toward the downward recurving tips.Echinacea 'Green Envy' is so weird, gardenerswill either love or hate it...we love it! (Hardiness Zone 3-9)
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Echinacea purpurea 'Kim's Knee High' PP 12,242 (Kim's Knee High Coneflower) FromTony's college classmate Kim Hawks, former owner of Niche Gardens, comes a 1999dwarf selection of the wonderful native purple coneflower. This compact selection is thefirst coneflower to be vegetatively propagated, ensuring that every plant is identical...no

seed-grown variation as long as you remove the old seed heads. Starting in mid-June(NC), each flower head has rigidly reflexed, rosy-pink petals that give a truly unique lookto this selection. (Hardiness Zone 3-9)

Echinacea purpurea 'Kim's Mop Head' PP 13,560 (Kim's Mop Head Coneflower)Echinacea 'Kim's Mop Head' is a 2001 introduction and is the white flowered companionto Echinacea purpurea 'Kim's Knee High'. This mutation ofEchinacea purpurea 'Kim'sKnee High', discovered at Sunny Border Nursery in Connecticut, has the same wonderfulcompact habit with perfectly symmetrical downward arching heads of fringed-whitepetals. (Hardiness Zone 3-9)

Echinacea purpurea 'Kim's Red Knee High' PP 20,411 (Kim's Red Knee HighConeflower) Echinacea purpurea 'Kim's Red Knee High' PP 20,411 is a mutation ofEchinacea purpurea 'Kim's Knee High' PP 12,242, discovered at Connecticut's SunnyBorder Nursery in 2005. Echinacea purpurea 'Kim's Red Knee High' PP 20,411 has thesame vigorous growth, short habit and attractively reflexed petals of its parent. The namered, however, is problematic...another example of male color-blindness and why younever ask men to describe a color. The color is actually a richer, darker pink than theparent, but nothing close to red. (Hardiness Zone 4-9)

Echinacea purpurea 'Lilliput' PP 18,841 (Lilliput Coneflower) From the Terra Novabreeding program in 2006 came one of the most compact of the dwarf coneflowers thatwe have seen. The tight clumps are adorned, starting in early summer, with 16" tallflower spikes of large, fragrant, rosy-pink flower heads...perfect for the front of theborder. (Hardiness Zone 4-9)

Echinacea purpurea 'Little Giant' PP 16,183 (Little Giant Coneflower) This 2004 TerraNova selection of our native Echinacea purpurea combines the large 4-5" wide flowersand flat petal arrangement ofEchinacea purpurea 'Ruby Giant' with a compact habit.Each 16" tall clump is topped with the large fragrant pink flowers starting in earlysummer. For smaller planting spaces, Echinacea 'Little Giant' just what the plant doctorordered. (Hardiness Zone 4-9)

Echinacea purpurea 'Magnus' (Magnus Coneflower) This seed strain of our US nativewas selected by Sweden's Magnus Nilsson for its vibrant pinkish purple color andstrongly horizontal petal formation and was named the 1998 Perennial Plant of the Year.In spring, the small rosettes of narrow green leaves unfurl, then are topped in midsummerby 30" spikes ending in 3-4" wide purple petaled, black-eyed Susan-type flowers.(Hardiness Zone 3-10)

Echinacea purpurea 'Meringue' PP 20,537 (Meringue Coneflower) This 2008 Arie Blom
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introduction is a compact 16" tall version of their Echinacea 'Coconut Lime' with doublewhite pompom flowers. (Hardiness Zone 3-9)

Echinacea purpurea 'Milkshake' PP 20594 (Milkshake Coneflower) This coneflower fromHolland's Arie Blom has made a real splash in our trials. The amazing branched flower

spikes are composed of large, double, white flowers, each surrounded by a row of singlepetals. For us,Echinacea purpurea 'Milkshake'starts flowering in midsummer and re-blooms in the fall. Although the breeder claims a 3' tall flower stem, our plants havenever topped 2' tall. (Hardiness Zone 4-9)

Echinacea purpurea 'Pink Double Delight' PP 18,803 (Pink Double Delight Coneflower)The 2006 introduction has impressed us with its excellent performance in our trials.Developed by Arie Blom of the Netherlands, this vigorous and floriferous cultivar iscomposed of sturdy 24" tall stems, each topped with double flowers starting in July andcontinuing until frost. Each flower head is composed of an oversized, dark pink coneadorned with lighter pink petals. Echinacea 'Pink Double Delight' needs 8+ hours of full

sun to prevent the maturing flowers from doing a Greg Louganis half gainer. (HardinessZone 3-9)

Echinacea purpurea 'Pink Poodle' PPAF (Pink Poodle Coneflower) Echinacea purpurea'Pink Poodle' PPAF from the Terra Nova breeding program is the latest (2008) in the lineof double-flowered pink coneflowers. Echinacea purpurea 'Pink Poodle' PPAF boastsrounded, double pink flowers that look like one of those overly-clipped poodle tails, atopwell-branched, sturdy 3' tall stems in the summer months...at least they've bred out thatincessant yapping from its namesake. We find that the first few flowers may be a bitdeformed until the plants gets settled into the garden. (Hardiness Zone 3-9)

Echinacea purpurea 'Purity' PP 19,441 (Purity Coneflower) This 2007 Terra Nova hybridis a descendant ofEchinacea purpurea 'Fragrant Angel' and another new advance inwhite-flowered coneflowers. Echinacea 'Purity' offers a well-branched, architecturallysturdy 26" tall plant, topped in mid-summer with 4.5" wide pure white flowers.(Hardiness Zone 4-9)

Echinacea purpurea 'Razzmatazz' PP 13,894 (Razzmatazz Coneflower) From Holland'sJan van Winsen comes this stunning Echinacea purpurea seedling (from Echinacea'Magnus') that appeared in his fields in 1997. The unique, double pompom flower atop30" stems makes this one of those rare plants that elicit "oohs" and "ahhs" from thosewho see the plant in flower or merely in a photograph. Since the flower heads are heavierthan normal, we recommend an area with bright light and good air movement, which willstrengthen the stems. This is the first of the double-flowered coneflowers to hit themarket. (Hardiness Zone 3-9)

Echinacea purpurea 'Ruby Giant' (Ruby Giant Coneflower) This Dan Heims selection ofthe US native Echinacea purpurea is from the European garden of the son of MagnusNilsson (Echinacea 'Magnus'). This clump was selected from the parent stock for the seedstrain Echinacea 'Rubinsturn'. One particularly nice plant was selected for vegetative
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propagation...all offspring are now identical. Echinacea purpurea 'Ruby Giant' boastslarge 5-7" wide flowers of pure bright clear pink, each with upcurved petal tips. Did Imention the flowers are delightfully fragrant? This is truly a stunning selection that is amust for every border! (Hardiness Zone 3-9)

Echinacea purpurea 'Sparkler' PP 17,298 (Sparkler Coneflower) Echinacea 'Sparkler' is atruly unique 2005 sport ofEchinacea purpurea 'Ruby Giant'that forms a nice, dwarf,compact clump to only 26" tall by 18" wide. The green leaves emerge frosted white andhold this pattern until very hot weather arrives. Each clump is topped with 26" tall flowerspikes of 4" wide fragrant, light-pink flowers. If you enjoy plants with variegation, thisone's for you. (Hardiness Zone 3-9)

Echinacea purpurea 'The King' (The King Coneflower) This UK selection was the firstclone to show wide horizontal branching on the flower stem. Its pollen was used toproduce a more compact variety with the same branching, that was introduced as E.'Elton Knight'. The flat-petaled 5-6" wide flowers are the typical Echinacea purpurea

color. (Hardiness Zone 3-9)

Echinacea purpurea 'Vintage Wine' PP 13,893 (Vintage Wine Coneflower) Thisintroduction of our US native comes from Holland's designer extraordinaire, Piet Oudolf.Echinacea 'Vintage Wine' in Piet's garden as a self-sown seedling in a patch of Echinaceapurpurea. It was selected for its 2' tall, sturdy, upright habit and branched flower stems.The flat but short outfacing petals of a unique wine-pink (RHS 63A) color are darkertoward the tip and top the plant from July through September. (Hardiness Zone 4-9)

Echinacea purpurea 'Virgan' PP 18,684 (Virgin Coneflower) This 2006 coneflowerintroduction comes from Netherlands garden designer, Piet Oudolf. The compact clumpsare topped in summer with sturdy 2' stems, ending in an abundance of 4" wide flowerscomposed of a fragrant dark green cone and surrounded by frilly-white petals. (HardinessZone 4-9)

Echinacea purpurea 'White Swan' (White Swan Coneflower) The seed strain isconsidered the best of the non-clonal whites, producing flowers atop sturdy 18" stems.(Hardiness Zone 3-9)

Echinacea simulata (Wavy-leaf Purple Coneflower) Echinacea simulata is very similar toEchinacea pallida except that the pollen is yellow instead of white. The leaves are verynarrow and the flowers have reflexed, narrow purple petals. (Hardiness Zone 5-8, at least)

Echinacea tennesseensis (Tennessee Coneflower) Echinacea tennesseensis is anotherfederally endangered species, which means you must obtain permits in order to sell it.Consequently, it is sold as Echinacea 'Rocky Top', since the folks in charge of enforcingstupid Endangered Species regulations think that once you give the plant a cultivar namethen it is no longer endangered....here's your sign. This wonderful species, native to thecedar glades of three counties in central Tennessee, was thought to be extinct until the'60s when it was rediscovered. Echinacea tennesseensis makes a robust clump of narrow
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leaves, topped with 2' tall flower spikes ending in bright pink flower heads of narrow,slightly upturned petals. Echinacea tennesseensis is one of the longest lived and mostadaptable of the coneflower family...provided it has very good drainage. (Hardiness Zone5-8)

Echinacea Hybrid Cultivars

Echinacea 'Adam Saul'PP 21023 (Crazy Pink Coneflower) This 2008 introduction fromItsaul Plants forms a 2' tall by 2' wide clump with over 100 flowers per plant, making itone of the most floriferous echinacea on the market. The flowers, which start in earlysummer, are typical pink with reflexed petals. (Hardiness Zone 4-9)

Echinacea 'Art's Pride' PP 15,090 (Art's Pride Coneflower) Calling Echinacea 'Art's Pride'a breakthrough was like calling Ted Kennedy a bit left of center. This amazing 2003release comes from the breeding program of Dr. Jim Ault of the Chicago Botanic Gardenand was the first of the orange-flowered coneflower hybrids. Each 2' wide clump of

slender green foliage is topped starting in late June and continuing through the summerwith 30" bouquet-like spikes of rustic-orange flowers. Unfortunately, it made a poorgarden specimen. (Hardiness Zone 4-8)

Echinacea 'Coral Reef' PPAF (Coral Reef Coneflower) This wild and crazy 2009 TerraNova introduction produces large pompon-like flowers of peachy orange, eachsurrounded by a small row of peachy petals. The clusters of flowers are borne atop 3' tallstems starting in mid-June (NC). (Hardiness Zone 4-9)

Echinacea 'Evan Saul' PP 17,659 (Evan Saul Coneflower) This 2005 coneflower fromRichard Saul (named after his son) arises in spring as a basal rosette of narrow greenleaves from which rise sturdy 40" tall stems. Starting in June, the flowering stems aretopped with 3.5" bright orange flowers that have a delightfully sweet aroma. This F3hybrid of Echinacea purpurea and Echinacea paradoxa (lots of good inbreeding...populardown there in the Georgia mountains) makes a fast-growing clump which, under goodconditions, will produce 60 flowers on a one-year-old plant. (Hardiness Zone 4-9)

Echinacea 'Firebird'PPAF (Firebird Coneflower) This 2009 release from Terra NovaNurseries makes a nice compact clump, topped, starting in early summer, with 3' tallspikes of flowers composed of bright reddish-orange reflexed petals surrounding a darkbrown central cone. (Hardiness Zone 4-9)

Echinacea 'Flame Thrower' PPAF (Flame Thrower Coneflower)Echinacea 'FlameThrower' PPAF is a 2009 Terra Nova introduction with 40" branched stalks, topped,starting in early summer, with fragrant, bright orange flowers. The narrow, flat petals arelight orange near the recurving tips and darken toward the central orange cone...veryfloriferous! (Hardiness Zone 4-9)

Echinacea 'Heavenly Dream' PPAF (Heavenly Dream Coneflower) Echinacea 'HeavenlyDream' is a Terra Nova release with 4" wide white flowers. (Hardiness Zone 4-9)
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Echinacea 'Hot Lava' PPAF (Hot Lava Coneflower) Echinacea 'Hot Lava' PPAF isanother 2009 hybrid from the Terra Nova breeding program. The sturdy 4' tall stems aretopped, starting in midsummer, with wide-petaled, orange-coned bright reddish-orangeflowers...quite stunning. (Hardiness Zone 4-9)

Echinacea 'Hot Papaya'PPAF (Hot Papaya Coneflower) This 2009 echinaceabreakthrough comes from Holland's Arie Blom. The vigorous 3' tall stalks of Echinacea'Hot Papaya' PPAF are topped through the summer with an amazing display of lightlyfragrant, bright orange pom poms, surrounded by a row of single drooping petals.(Hardiness Zone 4-9)

Echinacea 'Katie Saul' PP 18,783 (Katie Saul Coneflower) From Georgia's Saul Brotherscomes their 2006 release, which forms a clump of 3' tall dark stems, each topped, startingin midsummer, with 5" wide, uniquely colored flowers that are peach toward the tips butchange to cherry red near the central cone. The effect is a bicolor flower, which gives rise

to all kinds of garden color combinations. (Hardiness Zone 4-9)

Echinacea 'Little Angel' PPAF (Little Angel Coneflower) This 2010 Terra Novaintroduction is a 16" tall compact, reblooming coneflower with open, reflexed whitepetals. (Hardiness Zone 4-9)

Echinacea 'Mac 'n' Cheese' PP 19,464 (Mac 'n' Cheese Coneflower) From hot off thestove, we are pleased to serve up this cheesy 2009 Terra Nova introduction. Echinacea'Mac 'n' Cheese' PP 19,464 boasts a compact, well-branched habit, topped with 4"+yellow-orange flowers, starting in mid-June (NC) on 26" stems. (Hardiness Zone 4-9)

Echinacea 'Mango Meadowbrite' PP 16,636 (Mango Meadowbrite Coneflower, syn:Echinacea CBG Cone3) This dazzling 2004 coneflower from the breakthrough breedingwork of Dr. Jim Ault of the Chicago Botanic Garden created yet another color inconeflowers. Echinacea 'Mango Meadowbrite' PP 16,636 is topped with 3" wide, mango-colored (RHS 21A), fragrant flower heads surrounding a slightly darker orange centralcone. Actually, the color is closer to orange-mustard, but that doesn't sound quite asappealing. This is a stunning plant in flower that is sure to stand out in the garden. It wasnamed Echinacea 'CBG Cone3', which is an invalid cultivar name, so we renamed itEchinacea 'Mango Meadowbrite' PP 16,636. (Hardiness, Zone 5-8)

Echinacea 'Matthew Saul' PP 17,652 (Matthew Saul Coneflower) This 2005 release fromGeorgia's Saul Brothers is topped starting in July with lovely, 4" wide, peachy-orangeflowers surrounding an orange central cone atop 30" tall stems.Echinacea 'Matthew Saul'PP 17,652 is a delightful new color break in the genus, not to mention lightly fragrant.(Hardiness Zone 4-9)

Echinacea 'Paranoia' PP 16,587 (Paranoia Coneflower) Richard Saul of Itsaul Plants inGeorgia made some echinacea crosses in the mid-'90s (Echinacea paradoxa x purpurea)and passed along seed to us. We selected Echinacea 'Paranoia' PP 16,587 as the star, due
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to its compact 10" tall by 1' wide growth habit and lovely rigid yellow flowers, andintroduced it in 2004. This is unfortunately not the easiest coneflower to maintain in thegarden due to its lack of vigor. (Hardiness Zone 5-8)

Echinacea 'Pixie Meadowbrite'PP 18,546 (Pixie Meadowbrite Coneflower, syn:

Echinacea 'CBG Cone 2')Echinacea 'Pixie Meadowbrite' PP 18,546 is a 2006 release,and the third from Dr. Jim Ault's breeding program at the Chicago Botanic Garden. Thisnew coneflower is the result of an intentional horticultural menage-a-trois with Echinaceapurpurea, tennesseensis, and angustifolia. The result is a charming 18" tall by 2' widecompact clump, composed of sturdy flowering stems that end in mid-sized, flat-petaledpink flowers that rebloom all summer...a real winner! Since it was given the illegitimatename of CBG Cone 2, we have renamed it using their illegal trademark name ofEchinacea 'Pixie Meadowbrite'PP 18,546 as the cultivar name. (Hardiness Zone 4-9)

Echinacea 'Sunrise' PP 16,235 (Sunrise Coneflower) This 2005 introduction fromplantsman Richard Saul of GA was the first of the yellow-flowered hybrids. This cross of

Echinacea purpurea x Echinacea paradoxa makes a 2' tall by 2' wide clump, topped insummer with 4" fragrant, buttery-yellow flowers that age to creamy white.Echinacea'Sunrise'PP 16,235 has proven to be a very sturdy plant and a good rebloomer...morecolor for the summer and early fall garden! (Hardiness Zone 3-8)

Echinacea 'Sunset' PP 16,424 (Sunset Coneflower) This 2005 coneflower from RichardSaul of Itsaul Plants combines the best of Echinacea purpurea and Echinacea paradoxainto a selection that is topped, starting in June, with large 4.5 - 5" wide fragrant heads ofbright orange, fragrant blooms on 30" stems. The lush basal rosette of wide green foliageand dark flower stems serve as a nice foil to the prolific flower display...thanks to anabundance of side-flower buds. In cool climates, the flowers may have a unique lavendercast as they age. (Hardiness Zone 4-8)

Echinacea 'Tangerine Dream' PPAF (Tangerine Dream Coneflower) Echinacea'Tangerine Dream' PPAF is a 2009 Terra Nova introduction that sports well-branched 30"stems of large, 4", sweetly fragrant, bright orange, non-fading flowers...what more couldyou ask for a summer-flowering perennial? (Hardiness Zone 4-8)

Echinacea 'Tiki Torch' PP 18,839 (Tiki Torch Coneflower) This dynamite 2006echinacea introduction comes from the breeding program at Oregon's Terra NovaNurseries. The 32" branched stems are topped with multitudes of pumpkin-orangeflowers starting in late June...a fabulous new color! (Hardiness Zone 4-9)

Echinacea 'Tomato Soup' PP 19,427 (Tomato Soup Coneflower) This 2009 echinaceafrom Terra Nova indeed stretches what we used to think about coneflowers to an entirelynew level. The 32" tall clumps are topped in summer with large 5" flowers, whose petalsindeed look like the color of mama's tomato soup. It's a shame the late Christopher Lloydisn't still around to create some of his renowned, stirring combinations with this wild andgaudy color. (Hardiness Zone 4-9)
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Conclusion

Purple coneflowers are admirable and dependable American native plants for any garden.This perennial wildflower brings dazzling beauty to sunny gardens with its showyflowers. Purple coneflower can be grown in all 48 contiguous states and even in southern

Alaska. We hope you've enjoyed our summary of this amazing genus of plants and willnow explore their wonderful garden potential in your own garden....in other words,become a conehead!

References

AB Cultivars web site, http://www.ab-cultivars.com/en/AB-Cultivars/46

Adam, K.L., (2002), Echinacea as an Alternative Crop: Horticulture Technical Note,TTRA - National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service, http://attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/echinacea.html

Arnold, J.E. et. al., Efforts to Save an Endangered Species -Echinacea laevigata (SmoothConeflower), http://virtual.clemson.edu/groups/hort/sctop/pdf_docs/bsec/bsec-13.pdf

Ault, J., (2002), Echinacea Evolution, NMPro Magazine, November 2002, 18(11):34-36.

Ault, J., (2007), Coneflower: Echinacea species, In: Flower Breeding and Genetics:Issues, Challenges and Opportunities for the 21st Century, 1st Edition, Neil Anderson,Editor, Springer Publishing, pp. 801-822.

Bachman, J., (2006), Specialty Cut Flower Production and Marketing, ATTRA - NationalSustainable Agriculture Information Service, http://attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/PDF/cutflower.pdf

Backyard Nature, Echinacea (Purple Coneflower) Flowers,http://www.backyardnature.net/fl_echin.htm

Balge, R. et. al., Production of Purple Coneflower as a Cut Flower, MarylandCooperative Extension Fact Sheet FS371,http://extension.umd.edu/publications/PDFs/FS731.pdf

Blessington, T.M., et. al., Echinacea Production and Consumer Care, MarylandCooperative Extension Leaftlet #EH401,http://environmentalhorticulture.umd.edu/Perennials1/Echinacea.pdf

The Center for Plant Conservation, (2009), Echinacea laevigata, CPC National CollectionPlant Profile,http://www.centerforplantconservation.org/collection/CPC_ViewProfile.asp?CPCNum=1541


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The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES),http://www.cites.org/, http://www.cites.org/eng/app/appendices.shtml

Cox, P.B., & Urbatsch, L.E., (1990), A Phylogenetic Analysis of the Coneflower Genera(Asteraceae: Helianthae), Systematic Botany, 15(3), pp. 394-402

Encyclopedia of Life, Echinacea, http://www.eol.org/pages/59379 Clark, W. (1804), FortMandan Packing List, Box 4,http://www.monticello.org/education/lcresource/ftmandanlist.html

Frett, J., and Piatt, V., (2009), Coneflowers for the Mid-Atlantic Region, Mt. Cuba CenterResearch Report, http://mtcubacenter.org/documents/L402215_Brochure_Proof.pdf

Flynn, P., (1998), Yellows Disease of Purple Coneflower, Iowa State UniversityExtension Horticulture and Home Pest News,http://www.ipm.iastate.edu/ipm/hortnews/1998/7-24-1998/yellows.html

Gilman, E.F., (1999), Echinacea purpurea, University of Florida Cooperative ExtensionService Fact Sheet FPS-192, http://hort.ufl.edu/shrubs/ECHPURA.PDF

Groen, Amy H. 2005. Echinacea angustifolia. In: Fire Effects Information System, U.S.Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, FireSciences Laboratory http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/forb/echang/all.html

Gruenwald, J., (2008), The Global Herbs & Botanicals Market, Nutraceuticals World,July/August 2008., http://www.nutraceuticalsworld.com/contents/view/13953

Hatch, P., (2003), "Public Treasures": Thomas Jefferson and the Garden Plants of Lewisand Clark, Twinleaf Journal, January 2003 issue,http://www.twinleaf.org/articles/treasures.html

Hawks, K., (2004), Coneflowers: An American Classic, The American Gardener,American Horticultural Society.http://www.ahs.org/publications/the_american_gardener/0405/excerpt.htm

Hobbs, C. (1998), Echinacea: From Native American Panacea to ModernPhytopharmaceutical,http://www.christopherhobbs.com/website/library/articles/article_files/echinacea_01.htmlKemper Center for Home Gardening, (2001), Missouri Botanical Garden,http://www.mobot.org/gardinghelp/plantfinder/plant.asp?code=C580

Kindscher, K., Ed. (2006), The Conservation Status of Echinacea Species, KansasBiological Survey, http://www.fs.fed.us/r9/wildlife/tes/ca-overview/docs/Plants/Echinacea.pdf


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Louis and Clark Expedition Journals, 16th December, Sunday 1804 and 28th FebruaryThursday 1805, http://lewisandclarkjournals.unl.edu/read/?_xmlsrc=1804-12-16.xml&_xslsrc=LCstyles.xsl http://lewisandclarkjournals.unl.edu/read/?_xmlsrc=1805-02-28.xml&_xslsrc=LCstyles.xsl

McGregor, R.L. 1968. The taxonomy of the genus Echinacea (Compositae). TheUniversity Kansas Scientific Bulletin 48(4): pp. 113-142.

McIntire-Strasburg, J., (2008), Herbs for Health: Endangered Echinacea, in sustainablog.,http://blog.sustainablog.org/herbs-for-health-endangered-echinacea/

McKeown, K.A. (1999). A review of the taxonomy of the genus Echinacea. p. 482-489.In: J. Janick (ed.), Perspectives on new crops and new uses. ASHS Press, Alexandria,VA. http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/proceedings1999/v4-482.html

Miller, S.C., & Yu, H. (2004), Echinacea: The genus Echinacea, CRC Press

Mussulman, J. (2003), Legends; on the Discovering Louis and Clark web site,http://lewis-clark.org/content/content-article.asp?ArticleID=1399North Carolina Native Plant Society, http://www.ncwildflower.org/guidelines.htm

Rice, G. (2007), A New Dawn for Echinacea, The Plantsman, Dec 2007,http://www.rhs.org.uk/RHSWebsite/files/a4/a4ed7e4f-af37-473a-8e8d-6da5197334c1.pdf

Rogers, D. H., Echinacea angustifolia D.C.: Blacksamson Echinacea, SmithsonianMuseum of Natural History,http://www.mnh.si.edu/lewisandclark/resources/Echinacea_angustifolia.pdf

Schoellhorn, R. (2004), Echinacea - Celebrate Diversity, Greenhouse Product News,14(11), http://gpnmag.com/Echinacea-Celebrate-Diversity-article5607

Schoellhorn, R. & Richardson, A.A., Warm Climate Production Guidelines forEchinacea, University of Florida Leaflet ENHFL04-008,http://hort.ufl.edu/floriculture/Crops/Echinacea_ENHFL04-008.pdf

Thomas Jefferson Encyclopedia; Entry for: Purple Coneflower,http://wiki.monticello.org/mediawiki/index.php/Purple_Coneflower

University of Illinois, Diseases of Echinacea sp. (Coneflower), Focus on Plant Problems,http://urbanext.illinois.edu/focus/per_echinacea.cfm

University of Maryland Medical Center (2007), Echinacea overview,http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/echinacea-000239.htm

Urbatsch, L.E., et. al., (), 272. Echinacea Moench, Methodus. 591. 1794, Flora of NorthAmerica, Vol 21, Pg 43, 64, 65, 88, http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?


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flora_id=1&taxon_id=111203

USDA NCRS Plant Guide, Purple Coneflower,http://plants.usda.gov/plantguide/pdf/cs_ecan2.pdf

USDA PLANTS database, http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=ECHIN

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Endangered species program,* http://www.fws.gov/endangered/recovery/index.html*http://ecos.fws.gov/speciesProfile/profile/speciesProfile.action?spcode=Q293*http://ecos.fws.gov/speciesProfile/profile/speciesProfile.action?spcode=Q1VU

Documents

Echinacea - Purple coneflowers and much more