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Coneflower: Echinacea purpurea White Swan

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Coneflower: Echinacea purpurea White Swan

'White Swan' coneflower has daisylike, white flowers with orange centers and is native to the prairies of the central and southern United States. In fall, goldfinches flock to its seeds. Also known as this plant bears its blooms from midsummer to early fall.

Profile

Plant typeperennial,herb
Hardiness zones3 to 9
Lightfull-sun
Height up to 2 ft.
Spread up to 2 ft.6 in.
Habiterect
Soil pHslightly-acidic-to-neutral-pH6.5-7
Soil moistureaverage
Bloom timesummer
Flower colorwhite
Bloom size4.5 in. to 4.5 in.
Foliage colormedium-green

did you know?

Coneflower was widely used by Native Americans to treat snake and insect bites and to bathe burns. They also sprinkled it on embers during ceremonial purifying sweats and rubbed the juice of its roots on their hands, feet, and mouths to anesthetize themselves to pain.

general maintenance:

Remove old foliage after frost or before new growth emerges in spring. To prolong flowering, deadhead spent flowers.

pests/diseases:

Leaf miners and powdery mildew may occur.

controls:

Remove leaves damaged by leaf miners. To discourage powdery mildew, space plants for adequate air circulation and avoid watering leaves directly. Remove and destroy severely infected plants, and pick off diseased leaves where practical.

how to sow/plant:

Start with new plants or divisions. Plant in spring or fall. Choose a sunny site with moist, well-drained soil, and amend with well-rotted manure or compost. Set plants at the same depth they were in pots, spacing at a distance equal to their mature spread. Water after planting, and mulch to conserve moisture.

water and fertilize:

During growing season, allow soil to dry between watering. When growth begins in spring, feed with an all-purpose fertilizer, following label directions.

garden hint:

As the end of the flowering season approaches, don't deadhead flowers; leave them standing in fall and winter as food for goldfinches and other birds.

features:

  • Attractive Flowers
  • Attractive Foliage
  • Attracts Birds
  • Attracts Butterflies
  • Disease Resistant
  • Drought Tolerant
  • Native
  • Winter Interest

garden uses:

  • Flowerbed borders
  • Naturalizing

other uses:

  • Cut Flower
  • Everlasting (>)
  • Medicinal (root extracts may boost the immune system)

combine with:

bee balm feverfew foxglove and sage for a flowering herb or border garden.

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