Echinacea purpurea 'Kim's Knee High' PP12242 |
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Photo Courtesy of Walters Gardens, Inc.
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| | Common Name: Coneflower-Purple |
A dwarf version of the well-known native purple coneflower, selected by Kim Hawks. Large, daisy-like flowers with clear pink, recurved ray petals and large, bronzy-orange central cones appear atop knee-high plants with sturdy stems. Its small stature makes this cultivar a great choice for small gardens. It tends to grow slowly, so it will not overtake neighboring plants.
Praised for their large, daisy-like flowers which appear from midsummer thru fall, after many other perennials have finished blooming, Coneflowers are a mainstay in today's garden. If deadheaded, the bloom cycle will be extended. However, some spent blooms should be left on the plants in fall because their seeds provide winter food for finches and other birds. The dried seed heads also provide architectural interest in the winter.
Breeder: Kim Hawks
Origin: Native Cultivar
Characteristics:
Height:
18-24 Inches
Spread:
12-18 Inches
Flower Color:
Pink shades
Foliage Color:
Green shades
Sun or Shade?:
Full sun (> 6 hrs. direct sun)
Part shade (4-6 hrs. direct sun)
Wet or dry?:
Low water needs
Average water needs
Want to see wings?:
Attracts butterflies
Attracts songbirds
Need critter resistant plants?:
Deer resistant
How fast should it grow?:
Slow
When should it bloom?:
Midsummer
Late summer
Early fall
How's your soil?:
Poor Soil
Average Soil
Fertile Soil
Sweet or Sour Soil?:
Acidic Soil (pH < 7.0)
Neutral Soil (pH = 7.0)
Alkaline Soil (pH > 7.0)
What's your garden style?:
Container/Patio
Prairie
Cottage
Eclectic
Echinacea purpurea is a wildflower native to the eastern United States and is well-adapted to survive the hot, windy conditions typical of that region. If properly cared for, they will form attractive colonies and will live for many years.
Coneflowers like it sunny and hot. Though they will tolerate light shade, fewer flowers will be produced and the plants will be weakened. Light, loamy soils are best but coneflowers will grow in any well-drained soil. Once established, they are quite drought tolerant.
The word "echinacea" comes from the Greek word "echinos" meaning "hedgehog", referring to the flower's spiky central cone.