A double tiered cultivar with the base being the typical flower but with a pom pom like flower sitting on the top of the center cone. Often called the worlds first double purple cone flower.
Pronunciation
(eh-kin-AA-cee-ah)(pur-pur-EE-ah)
Plant Type
All Plants, Perennials Hardy
Hardiness Zone
4-8
Sunlight
best in full, mostly sunny, light shade
Moisture
average, tolerates drier conditions once established.
Soil & Site
average, dislikes wet winter soils
Flowers
The flowers began as nearly-normal looking singles, the shorter than average flower petals being extra-reflexed around the dark cone. As the cone further matures, it develops small purple flower petals of its own, until it is a dense purple pompom with the regular petals serving as a dangling fringe. (Paghat's Garden description)
Leaves
rough, coarse deep green leaves, most found at base, stem leaves are smaller
Stems
stout, have short bristly hairs
Dimensions
reaches 30-36 inches tall.
Maintenance
may reseed in the garden, many times reseeded plants will not be the same as parents, cut back stout stem in fall or leave for winter interest
Propagation
PP#13,894, division
Cultivar Origin
Originated in Holland in the fields of a cutflower grower, Jan van Winsen. He worked to develop this plant from 1997-2001.
Misc Facts
Echinacea from the Greek term for hedgehog, referring to the spiky appearance of the flower head.
Author's Notes
Echinacea have beautiful flowers, now available in a wide range of colors. The foliage is on the coarse side and many times starts to fade or deteriorate sooner than other plants. Using in combination with other plants will help mask these problems. I like to leave the flower heads on during the winter, since birds will dine on the seeds