Why Your Garden NEEDS Echinacea! - Countless Cultivars, Endless Varieties and Timeless Blooms

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pczZooQ-S7c

Here at Bountiful Gardens, we have the pleasure of being surrounded by endless Echinacea! In this video, you’ll learn what you need to know to grow this perennial like a pro! 

Key Points:

• Echinacea, or the Coneflower, is one of the BEST native perennial wildflowers to have in the garden

• Echinacea is highly drought-tolerant and THRIVES in poor soils and full sun

• Echinacea is beloved by critical pollinators like Monarch butterflies, bees and more

• Echinacea's "petals" are actually bracts--the true flowers are on the cone

• Thanks to its hairy leaves, Echinacea is moderately deer-resistant

• Echinacea is highly medicinal and has been used for thousands of years to reduce stress and boost immunity

Gorgeous red Echinacea with a Monarch butterfly gathering nectar

Echinacea is a very low maintenance perennial that does really well in rich, well-drained soils. Once established, this plant is highly drought tolerant, though you’ll want to make sure to give it a bunch of extra water during its first few months after planting to help it get comfortable and send out essential roots. 

Despite its common name, Purple Coneflower, Echinacea comes in a rainbow of hues.

When it comes to sun exposure, these perennials can’t get enough! The more sun you give your Echinacea, the more blooms you’ll get, which will make your local pollinators VERY happy! In fact, this is one of the best natives you can plant to attract both beneficial insects AND birds! 

Closeup of a bumblebee collecting pollen from yellow Echinacea flowers

Thanks to its native characteristics, Echinacea can withstand almost any site conditions (once established), and won’t need any extra fertilizers to do its best. 

Closeup of a honeybee gathering pollen from a classic Purple Coneflower (Echinacea)

Where should you plant your Echinacea? Well, thanks to all the varieties we carry, pretty much anywhere! Dwarf varieties can be planted at the front of the bed for a splash of ground cover color, and taller varieties are perfect for the middle and back of any perennial garden. 

A fresh new Echinacea bloom preparing to open

Over the years, you can expect your Echinacea to spread, making it an investment in an even more floriferous garden. 

Echinacea 'Kismet Pink Lemonade'

Here’s a fun fact: the colorful “petals” of Echinacea are actually called “bracts!” The TRUE flowers are contained within the cone, and can be identified by their little yellow pollen deposits. If you want to get fancy with your Coneflower, we carry varieties that have been bred to have accented true flowers as well! 

Closeup of pollen-rich Echinacea blooms

Are you a fan of New Jersey’s state bird, the Goldfinch? Then Echinacea should be your favorite plant! These colorful little birds will land on the seedheads in late summer and Fall to feed! 

Some Echinacea varieties feature fancy frilly centers

Echinacea isn’t just a foodsource for pollinators and birds, though! This plant has been used medicinally by humans for thousands of years, most notably to promote the immune system. The leaves, flowers and roots are all medicinally viable, and feature antiviral, antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties as well as providing plenty of antioxidants. In other words, it’s a superfood! 

A premium selection of some of our favorite Echinacea varieties

Got Deer? Echinacea is SUPER low on their menu! Got anxiety? Echinacea can help! This plant is just overall amazing, and you’d be silly to go without it in your garden! Come find your perfect coneflowers at Bountiful Gardens today! 

Bright blooms of Echinacea 'Sombrero Salsa Red'

Echinacea in a cottage garden setting

Echinacea blooming along a garden path