A Coneflower with large ruby colored non drooping flowers.
Pronunciation
(eh-kin-AA-cee-ah)(pur-pur-EE-ah)
Plant Type
All Plants, Perennials Hardy
Hardiness Zone
(4)5-9
Sunlight
full
Moisture
average, tolerates drier conditions once established
Soil & Site
average
Flowers
large, ruby pink, fragrant, up to 7 inches, nondroping petals (ray flowers)
Fruit
achenes in the dried center disk
Leaves
green, coarse, most at base of plant, some on stem but smaller
Stems
stout stem, has coarse white hairs
Dimensions
up to 24 inches tall
Maintenance
may reseed in the garden, cut back stout stem in fall or leave for winter interest
Propagation
division
Cultivar Origin
Ruby Giant was selected by Dan Heims from from seed stock of Echinacea Rubenstein.
Misc Facts
Echinacea from the Greek word echinos meaning Hedgehog, like the flowers spiny receptacles
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 a way 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.