Echinacea - In My Garden
In my own garden I like things to have more than one job. I look for things that are good for the critters, are ‘productive’ and unapologetically, I like things to look good (all the f’s: food, flowers, form, function, fun). This year, as the first year in our new home in Whanganui, and whilst I have grand plans (of course) for the whole yard, this year I priortised a 2ish x 2ish metre patch of space to provide a functional spot for productive plants. When I say productive, think as many f’s as you can…
So, let’s talk Echinacea.
Echinacea Purpurea (aka coneflower) might not seem like the first choice when I say ‘productive’, but let me convince you otherwise.
USES
This beautiful bloom is perfect for garden beds and borders, wildflower gardens, prairies and meadows. The blooms are rich in nectar, so they are perfect for attracting wildlife such as birds and butterflies.
They are also excellent as cut or dried flowers and will make a lovely addition when popped in a vase alone or an arrangement.
Echinacea is rich in antioxidants, is widely used as a herbal medicine for all manner of ills from colds to skin conditions. It is excellent in herbal teas and as such is definitely on my top five list for tea garden plants.
For Tea Gardens, and Herbal (even Cocktail) gardens add a plant of two of Echinacea Purpurea to the planting plan.
PLANTING
Echinacea purpurea enjoys full sun to part shade in average, well-drained soil. For very best results, I’d recommend spacing the plants around 60cm apart and in a full sun position. Full sun will provide you with more reliable blooms. Echninacea will grow in a clump to approx. 1.5m tall and 60cm wide. Blooms will be long-lasting and grow on upright stems above a dark green plant.
COMPANIONS
In my little productive patch this year I have teamed Echinacea with
Rudbeckia
German Chamomile
Rosemary
Lemongrass
Thyme
In a border I love:
Rudbeckia
Lavender
Catmint
Dwarf Toe Toe (yes really!)
CARE
A note of care - Echinacea may be a little aggressive if left to it’s own devices and is a ready self-seeder. This is where the ‘productive’ bit comes in: be sure to remember to cut stems before they seed; which is easy to do if you’re using all the f’s: for flower arrangements, functional teas, fun cocktails, drying for food…
