Echinacea purpurea Kims Knee HighPurple coneflower
Family:Asteraceae
common name:Purple coneflower
introduce:Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
Family: Asteraceae
Missouri Native: No
Native Range: None
Height: 1 to 2 feet
Spread: 1 to 2 feet
Bloom Time: June - August
Bloom Color: Clear pink
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Water: Dry to medium moisture
Maintenance: Low
General Culture:
Easily grown in average, dry to medium moisture, well-drained soil in full sun to part shade. Best in full sun. This is an adaptable plant that is tolerant of drought, heat, humidity and poor soil. Plants usually rebloom without deadheading, however prompt removal of spent flowers improves general appearance. Cut stems back after flowering to promote a mid-August bloom that may continue intermittently into fall. Divide clumps when they become overcrowded (about every 4 years). This is a patented plant.
Noteworthy Characteristics:
慘im抯 Knee High?is a compact or dwarf version of the familiar species plant. It is noted for its short habit and long summer bloom. It typically begins blooming when its rigid stems reach 15?tall (knee high). If not cut back, plants may eventually reach 24?in height by the end of the summer. This is a daisy-like coneflower that features drooping, clear rose-pink to purple-pink rays and large, pin cushion-like, coppery-orange to dark bronze central cones. Coarsely-toothed, dark green leaves (to 6?long). Good fresh cut or dried flower. The dead flower stems will remain erect well into the winter, and if flower heads are not removed, are often visited by goldfinches that perch on or just below the blackened cones to feed on the seeds. Echinacea comes from the Greek word 揺chinos?meaning hedgehog in reference to the flower抯 spiny center cone. 慘im抯 Knee High?is a selection of Kim Hawks of Niche Gardens, Chapel Hill, North Carolina. U. S. Plant Patent PP12,242 issued December 4, 2001.
Problems:
No serious insect or disease problems.
Uses:
Border fronts, rock gardens or part shade areas of open woodland gardens.
