{"title":"Perennial Coneflower","description":"\u003ch3 data-start=\"81\" data-end=\"232\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"81\" data-end=\"101\"\u003eGenus: Echinacea\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"81\" data-end=\"232\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"104\" data-end=\"115\"\u003eFamily:\u003c\/strong\u003e Asteraceae\u003cbr data-start=\"126\" data-end=\"129\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"129\" data-end=\"146\"\u003eCommon Names:\u003c\/strong\u003e Coneflower, Purple Coneflower\u003cbr data-start=\"176\" data-end=\"179\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"179\" data-end=\"196\"\u003eNative Range:\u003c\/strong\u003e Central and Eastern North America\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"234\" data-end=\"612\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"234\" data-end=\"250\"\u003eDescription:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"250\" data-end=\"253\"\u003eEchinacea is a genus of hardy, herbaceous perennials best known for their daisy-like flowers with prominent, spiny central cones and a long blooming season that stretches from midsummer into fall. Native to North American prairies and open woodlands, these resilient plants are favourites in pollinator gardens, naturalistic landscapes, and perennial borders.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"614\" data-end=\"1060\"\u003eThe genus includes several species, with \u003cem data-start=\"655\" data-end=\"675\"\u003eEchinacea purpurea\u003c\/em\u003e being the most widely cultivated. Modern hybrids offer an expanded palette of colours beyond the traditional purples and pinks—now available in white, yellow, orange, and red. The large central cone, typically orange or brown, gives the flower its common name and serves as a landing pad for bees and butterflies. Birds, especially goldfinches, love the seeds in late summer and fall.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1062\" data-end=\"1077\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1062\" data-end=\"1077\"\u003eCare Notes:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul data-start=\"1079\" data-end=\"1532\"\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"1079\" data-end=\"1155\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1081\" data-end=\"1155\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1081\" data-end=\"1091\"\u003eLight:\u003c\/strong\u003e Full sun; tolerates light shade but flowers best in full sun.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"1156\" data-end=\"1235\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1158\" data-end=\"1235\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1158\" data-end=\"1167\"\u003eSoil:\u003c\/strong\u003e Well-draining soil; tolerant of poor, dry soils once established.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"1236\" data-end=\"1338\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1238\" data-end=\"1338\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1238\" data-end=\"1248\"\u003eWater:\u003c\/strong\u003e Moderate; drought-tolerant once established but benefits from occasional deep watering.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"1339\" data-end=\"1420\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1341\" data-end=\"1420\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1341\" data-end=\"1355\"\u003eHardiness:\u003c\/strong\u003e Hardy in Zones 3–9; very well-suited to most Canadian gardens.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"1421\" data-end=\"1532\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1423\" data-end=\"1532\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1423\" data-end=\"1439\"\u003eMaintenance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Low; deadhead to prolong bloom, but leave some seedheads for winter interest and wildlife.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1534\" data-end=\"1558\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1534\" data-end=\"1558\"\u003eInteresting Tidbits:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul data-start=\"1560\" data-end=\"2205\"\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"1560\" data-end=\"1723\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1562\" data-end=\"1723\"\u003eEchinacea has a long history of medicinal use, especially in traditional Indigenous medicine and modern herbal supplements aimed at boosting the immune system.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"1724\" data-end=\"1863\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1726\" data-end=\"1863\"\u003eThe name “Echinacea” is derived from the Greek word \u003cem data-start=\"1778\" data-end=\"1787\"\u003eechinos\u003c\/em\u003e, meaning hedgehog, in reference to the spiny texture of the central cone.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"1864\" data-end=\"1980\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1866\" data-end=\"1980\"\u003eThese plants are long-blooming and highly attractive to pollinators such as bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"1981\" data-end=\"2077\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1983\" data-end=\"2077\"\u003eTheir upright growth habit and sturdy stems make them excellent for cut flower arrangements.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"2078\" data-end=\"2205\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2080\" data-end=\"2205\"\u003eLeft standing through winter, the seedheads offer visual interest and food for birds, while supporting overwintering insects.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","products":[],"url":"https:\/\/www.scottsnurseryonline.com\/collections\/perennial-42.oembed","provider":"Scott's Nursery Ltd. ","version":"1.0","type":"link"}