The article is based on the materials of the Polish Nurserymen Association
Echinacea purpurea is a perennial that grows in its natural habitat on prairies and bright forests of North America. It was brought to Europe because of its magnificent flowers attracting butterflies and its healing properties.
The plant forms butt rosettes of wide, dark green leaves, from which grow stiff, erect shoots up to about 1 meter in height.Egg-shaped, pointed, sharply toothed and set on long petioles, leaf blades are rough to the touch. In the upper part of the shoots, the leaves are smaller, narrower and have shorter petioles. From August to September, single, large inflorescence baskets up to 15 centimeters in diameter appear on the tips of the shoots.
The inflorescence is made of a convex inflorescence bottom in the shape of a spiky head resembling a small hedgehog (hence the generic name of the plant). In this part of the inflorescence, inconspicuous yellow tubular flowers are embedded.On the edges of the inflorescence there are long purple-pink ligulate flowers, which bend downwards as they grow.During flowering, the plant attracts numerous butterflies and bees.
Echinacea purpurea prefers fertile, fresh, humus-rich, moderately moist soils, and sunny positions. It belongs to perennials that can grow in one place for many years. The plant is completely frost resistant. It grows he althy and is undemanding. The care treatments are limited to removing the remains of last year's shoots and leaves in the spring.Systematic trimming of faded inflorescences promotes the formation of new inflorescence buds, which significantly extends the flowering period.
Thanks to the original form of inflorescences, Echinacea purple occupies a leading position among perennials in full summer intended for sunny beds. Sumptuous specimens are an expressive color element of perennial group plantings. They blend in perfectly with plants planted in English and rustic gardens.
All year round with perennials
Echinacea purpurea, unlike many other flowering plants, retains rich decorative qualities also after flowering.Convex flower heads decorate the garden until late autumn.Truncated inflorescences are used in floristry to create fresh and dry compositions.
In addition to its decorative qualities, Echinacea has healing properties and has long been used by Indians as a detoxifying and toning agent. Currently, over 200 different pharmaceutical preparations containing extracts of this valuable plant are registered in Europe.
