2013 All American Selection winner. First-year blooming, 24 weeks after sowing and first of its kind offered from seed. Intensely bright 3-4 flowers in a wide range of color; pink, purple, red and orange tones to lighter yellows and white. Well branching, stocky, durable plants grow to 24. Once established they hold up to drought, heat, wind, and rain. Perennial.Zone 4-9.

15 seeds

PLANTING

Echinacea Purpurea

Perennial, zones 4-9

Germination:10-21 days

Germination Temperature:Optimum soil temperatures 70-75F.

Seed Planting Depth:Sow deep

Starting Indoors:Start indoors 8-10 weeks before the last frost. Provide 70-75F soil temperature. Transplant after the last frost, 18-24″ apart.

Sowing Outdoors:Mid-spring and fall

Growth Habit:Upright

Height and Width:24-30″ by 18-24″

Spacing:18-24″ apart

Light Needs: Full sun

Soil Needs:Average, well-drained

Approximate days to flower from seed:Blooms in the first season when started early indoors, mid to late summer thereafter.

Uses:Flower beds, cottage and wildflower gardens, cut flowers, attracts pollinators and birds

Care:Water seedlings regularly until established. Amend the soil with compost before transplanting. Cut back stems as the blooms fade, this encourages more flower production. Dont cut the plant down in fall, leave the edible seedheads up for the birds