a white flower with a green center and green sepals on a green stem

purple coneflower

Echinacea purpurea 'Virgin'

Also Known As - echinacea,purple coneflower,purple coneflower

The Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea 'Virgin') is an amazing plant because it has striking, fragrant, deep-purple petals that beckon Hummingbirds and Butterflies for hours of enjoyable entertainment! This plant is also incredibly hardy and it flowers from summer into fall. The stems are sturdy and won't bend in the wind and rain - it stands tall and proud. Even after the blooms have faded, the coneflower produces cone-shaped and bristly seed heads that add a unique texture and interest to every garden. Plus, the blooms and leaves are edible and often used for medicinal purposes.

Cycle:

Herbaceous Perennial

Watering:

Minimum

Propagation:

Seed Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

3 - 8

Flowers:

Purplish pink Flowers In Summer

Sun:

Full sun

Soil:

Sandy Loamy Clay Rocky

Fruits:

Fruits In Autumn Ready In Fall

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green

Growth Rate:

Moderate

Maintenance:

Low

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea 'Virgin') requires about 1 inch of water each week. Water it deeply twice a week if the weather is particularly hot or dry. During the spring season when the plants are active and growing, ensure they are getting about 1 inch of water each week. You may need to water more frequently during very hot and dry weather. Water the soil until you see it drain from the bottom of the pot or container. During the winter, when the plant is dormant, reduce watering to every 2 to 3 weeks. Make sure the soil feels dry before watering again.

sunlight

In general, Purple Coneflowers (Echinacea purpurea 'Virgin') thrive in plenty of sunshine, which helps them achieve their best flowering and blooming performance. Specifically, they should receive at least 6-8 hours of sunlight a day in full sun. This sunlight should take place during the morning and/or early afternoon hours, as afternoon sun tends to be too hot and can potentially damage the plant. If in a location that experiences a lot of humidity, the plant should receive morning sun only. If grown in partial shade, the plant could potentially get fewer hours of sunlight, however, it may not bloom as much as it would in full sun.

pruning

Purple coneflowers should be pruned in mid to late summer once the flowers have passed, typically in late July to early August. Before pruning, use sharp pruners or scissors and remove no more that 1-third of the plant’s stems or growth. This will help keep the plant looking tidy and attractive. Cut all dead stems and old flower heads to the ground to tidy the plant and promote new growth. When cutting stems, cut back to the next side shoot to remove any straggly growth and keep the centre of the plant open and healthy. Avoid pruning after early August as new growth may not harden off before temperatures start to drop.