Fashion was, is and will be, and this applies to all aspects of our lives. garden plants are no exception. Yesterday's favorites fade into the background, are forgotten. “You are old-fashioned, here is the retribution // For being in fashion once” (Samuil Marshak). But seemingly unremarkable people suddenly become loved and desired.
The passions of domestic gardeners do not always coincide with European and world ones, but, as a rule, their waves overwhelm us too. Today, at the peak of fashion, one might say, two cultures: echinacea and hydrangea. Let's start with the first one.
All nine species of the genus Echinacea (Echinacea) are native to North America. The most common is Echinacea purpurea (Echinacea purpurea), medicinal and decorative culture. For a long time, gardeners were content with only the species form, white-flowered ‘Alba’ and large-flowered 'Magnus'.
Initially, interest in Echinacea arose with the advent of the global fashion for gardens of natural style and easy care. Already at the beginning of the 2000s, nurseries offer many varieties of Echinacea purpurea with different sizes, colors, sizes and shapes of inflorescences. Gardeners still remember the excitement caused by the appearance ‘Sunset’, ‘Sundown’ With yellow tones in color and variegated varieties. Then it became possible to purchase specific echinacea. Probably, it’s worth sometime to consider in detail the most spectacular and easy-to-care varieties of past years, for example 'Kim's Mophead' or 'Fatal Attraction', firmly established in landscaping outside of our country, talk separately about specific echinaceas.
The next breakthrough was the appearance in 2003 of the first variety, in the baskets of which there were no tubular flowers, but only reed ones. This type of inflorescence began to be called terry, although this is not true. This legendary variety of Echinacea purpurea with pink inflorescences was called ‘Razzmatazz’. It is still in demand and is often found on sale.
He was followed ‘Pink Double Delight’, favorably distinguished early flowering, greater ability to form daughter rosettes and resistance of flower stalks to wind and rain. He is one of the leaders in sales in Europe, but for some reason he did not deserve popular love in our country.
Further, the wave of popularity of echinacea began to look more like a tsunami. She swept, finally, and our gardeners. The appearance of new varieties is somewhat similar to an epidemic, even the term "conefection" ("cone epidemic") has even arisen.
There is no point and opportunity to describe everything that is offered. I will dwell on the most interesting varieties of the last two years, which were on our market, showed themselves well and were liked by many.
'Irresistible'. The first "terry" variety with red-orange, gradually turning pink inflorescences on branched peduncles. H80 cm.
‘Hot Papaya’. Luxurious variety with red flowers orange shade. Differs in excellent growth of the rosette, branched peduncles, long and abundant flowering. H90 cm. It seems to be the best selling variety of the previous two years.
‘Milkshake’. One of the galaxy of "terry" whites. Young inflorescences with an elegant bright yellow eye. The adult basket is tall, in the form of a pompom, and the flowers are greenish-cream and, importantly, do not lose their decorative effect for up to two months. A magnificent bush forms up to hundreds of inflorescences. H90 cm.
‘Marmalade’. The first "double" with an orangeish-yellow color, on which gradually appear clearly pink tones. It went on sale at the end of the 2010 season. Like most yellow varieties, it is a hybrid of paradoxical Echinacea (E. paradoxa), which is very sensitive to soaking, but showed good resistance. The bush looks spectacular, especially at some distance. H80 cm.
‘Raspberry Truffles’. Huge "double" red-pink inflorescences with horizontally arranged reed flowers. Young inflorescences with a pronounced brown center, which favorably combines with strong, branching, brown stems. The bush is growing great. H80 cm.
'Hot Summer'(above). Belongs to varieties with simple flowers (inflorescences of natural type with reed flowers along the edge), unfortunately, not popular with our gardeners. Nevertheless, this is one of the brightest, amazing novelties. The plant develops powerfully, blooms profusely. At the same time, the blooming yellow inflorescences become dark red over time, which makes the blooming curtain unusually elegant. H90 cm.
‘Piccolino’. This first dwarf variety with "double" pink flowers first appeared in 2011. Bushes beautifully. H30 cm
‘Southern Belle’. An amazing novelty of the past season. The first "terry" hybrid based on Echinacea Tennessee (E. tennesseensis) with large deep pink inflorescences. From the parental form, he inherited a rapid growth and tillering, abundant and long-lasting, from June to October, flowering. Peduncles multiply branching. H100 cm. I hope, having become acquainted with this variety, you will also pay attention to the species Echinacea Tennessee, which deserves wider use in our gardens.
‘Guava Ice’. Variety of introduction of 2010, which received the gold medal "Plantarium 2010" and first entered our market in 2011. Red-salmon baskets. Plants are vigorous and disease resistant. Beautiful foliage, many rosettes and abundant long flowering. H75 cm.
Echinacea is being worked on all over the world. The most famous in Europe are Dutch breeders Ari Blum (nursery "AB-cultivars") and Marco van Noort. The leader in the American market is Terra Nova Nurseries. On the websites of these companies you can get acquainted with the avant-garde assortment of echinacea.
The new 'AB-cultivars' varieties have just been unveiled and will be offered to nurseries in the spring of 2012. Meet:
‘Pineapple Sundae’. The variety was promised in 2011, but due to production problems it will not be delivered until next spring. The inflorescences are "double", bright yellow, with age turning into a pompom with drooping reed flowers. The bushes are large, flower stalks are strong, long, branching. H70 cm. Good for cutting.
‘Honeydew’. This hybrid of Echinacea purpurea with large "terry" baskets about 10 cm in diameter is very effective. Light reed flowers are arranged horizontally, the core is pastel light green with a darker center. Powerful, branched peduncles. H60 cm.
‘Buttercream’."Terry" baskets up to 12 cm in diameter with a cream-yellow color "cones" and almost white horizontal reed flowers. Unblown flowers in a young inflorescence are green. Peduncles strong, branched. H55 cm.
‘Cleopatra’. Inflorescences simple, reed flowers bright yellow, tubular yellow-orange. Plants of excellent habitus, bloom profusely, peduncles do not lodge. Powerful growth, beautiful dark green foliage make it possible to get large container plants and decorative curtains in the garden in the first year. H55--60 cm.
‘White Double Delight’. He appeared in Europe last season, but, as far as I know, he has not yet reached us. Snow-white "terry" inflorescences, at a young age show a greenish-yellow core. Blooms early and blooms profusely. It is a complete analogue of 'Pink Double Delight' with its unique characteristics, making it ideal for both landscaping and containers. H60 cm.
Yuri BAZHENOV
Photo by AB cultivars and Marco van Noort
Which went on sale in 2013, Special attention should be given to Echinacea. In addition to the bright color and variety of shapes, these flowers will delight the gardener with their unpretentiousness and ease of care.
Echinacea "Julia" ("Julia")
This variety of Echinacea has bright orange flowers, is one of the Butterfly Kisses varieties and belongs to dwarf varieties. This Echinacea is an ideal plant for small spaces, it reaches a height of only 38-45 cm. It blooms in early summer and releases and releases buds all season long. This flower is loved by butterflies and bees and is a good addition to a bouquet. This echinacea, like all echiants in principle, easily tolerates heat and drought. So this plant is simply a necessary plant in a "no maintenance" landscape.
Latin name: Echinacea "Julia"
Dimensions: up to 46 cm high and up to 61 cm wide
Echinacea "Double Scoop Cranberry"
Well, how beautiful this flower is! The color, bright as a cranberry, catches the eye. In addition to all its external extraordinary qualities, "Double Scoop Cranberry" boasts all the other qualities of echinacea: drought tolerance, ease of care, attractiveness to butterflies. Flowers on this variety of Echinacea bloom in late spring and last until the end of summer. Plant some extra - "Double Scoop Cranberry" is good in a bouquet.
Latin name: Echinacea "Double Scoop Cranberry"
Growth conditions: open sunny areas
Dimensions: up to 66 cm high and up to 56 cm wide
Frost resistance zones: 5-9
Plant Near: Russian
Echinacea "Cleopatra"
You have probably already seen such an echinacea, or something similar to it. The bright yellow "Cleopatra" is named after the bright yellow butterflies. Flowers solitary, 7.5 cm in diameter, attractive to butterflies; petals grow clearly horizontally from the center of the flower and therefore the flower looks like the sun on children's drawing. The orange center of the flower, by the way, is also very spectacular. In winter, echinacea will become a top dressing for finches.
Latin name: Echinacea "Cleopatra"
Growth conditions: open sunny areas
Dimensions: up to 46 cm high and up to 41 cm wide
Frost resistance zones: 4-8
Plant Near: Monarda
Echinacea "Passion Flute"
Over the past 7 years, echinacea has evolved markedly. With its twisted petals, the variety "Passion Flute" looks somewhat unusual. This form of petals was bred from the variety "All That Jazz", which is a pink-flowered echinacea. This time, Flute of Passion is her yellow version. The folded petals are golden yellow and diverge radially from the center. Large flowers adorn the bush from mid to late summer. The Passion Flute variety is a member of the Let's Boogie Echinacea series. All Echiants are unpretentious in care, as they are dry-resistant. In winter, faded Echinacea heads will be sources of food for birds, and therefore lovers nature is simply obliged to plant them at home.
Latin name: Echinacea "Passion Flute"
Growth conditions: open sunny areas
Dimensions: up to 1.2 m high and up to 0.6 m wide
Frost resistance zones: 4-8
Plant Near: "All That Jazz" Echinacea
Echinacea "Butterfly Kisses"
Compact, upright growing, covered with beautiful pink pom-pom flowers, Echinacea "Butterfly Kisses" certainly deserves special place in a perennial border or container garden. The flowers are fragrant and up to 7.5 cm in diameter. They look like small umbrellas above the dark green foliage. If you love terry Echinacea varieties, try this 2013 variety. This variety is attractive to butterflies, the seed-rich heads are attractive to birds and the plant also looks beautiful in the winter garden.
Latin name: Echinacea "Butterfly Kisses"
Growth Conditions: Full sun to partial shade and moist but well-draining soil
Dimensions: up to 46 cm wide
Frost resistance zones: 4-8
Plant alongside: ornamental grasses
Echinacea "Cheyenne Spirit"
The solar mask of echinacea reflects their essence. This new Echinacea, which won the 2013 AAS (All-America Selection), comes in a variety of colors: pinks, purples, reds, oranges, yellows, creams and even whites. An excellent perennial border plant and in mass plantings in the landscape. Echinacea is a dry plant that is attractive to pollinators, including butterflies.
Latin name: Echinacea "Cheyenne Spirit"
Growth conditions: open sunny areas
Dimensions: up to 0.6 m in height and width
Hardiness zones: 4-9
Plant Near: Coreopsis
Echinacea "Evening Glow"
You will love this soothing new variety echinacea for its color, similar to the color of the evening dawn (hence its name). 'Evening Glow' has single flowers with horizontal yellow petals and orange streaks like blush (you can also see a hint of pink on them). The cone-shaped center is large and dark. Use this spectacular echinacea in perennial borders or as flowers for bouquets. This echinacea is good even in pots. Flowering period "Evening Glow" - from spring to autumn.
Latin name: Echinacea "Evening Glow"
Growth conditions: open sunny areas
Dimensions: up to 66 cm high
Hardiness zones: 4-9
Echinacea "Cantaloupe" ("Supreme Cantaloupe")
Exactly the color of ripe cantaloupe, echinacea "Supreme Cantaloupe" luxury flower for bouquets. Brown-eyed flowers with a double jabot of petals are very reminiscent of gerbera in their appearance. This ambitious echinacea blooms non-stop all summer and even into autumn, attracting butterflies and bees to the garden. The heads of this echinacea left for the winter will be a good help to finches. Recall that the birthplace of echinacea is America and that this is one of the most simple plants in care.
Latin name: Echinacea "Supreme Cantaloupe"
Growth conditions: open sunny areas
Dimensions: up to 76 cm high and up to 61 cm wide
Frost resistance zones: 5-9
Plant Near: Russian Sage
Compilation prepared by Doug Jimerson and Karen Weir-Jimerson
Translation: Anna Zhurbenko
specially for the Internet portal
garden center "Your garden"
If you still think that echinacea is such a nondescript pink chamomile with a convex center that is used in medicine, then you are a little behind the times. Actually the best modern varieties echinacea are able to compete in beauty with dahlias and asters, and propagation, planting and cultivation of echinacea are so easy that even a beginner can do it.
Therefore, we suggest that you take a fresh look and re-evaluate this interesting, beautiful and non-capricious plant, learn about its medicinal properties ah, the possibilities of using in the design of the garden plot, the most striking varieties, the history of "conquering the world", and of course about how how to grow echinacea.
Echinacea: a little history
The name of the hero of our article comes from the Greek word echinoc - that is, "hedgehog". Echinacea was first described in 1753 by Carl Linnaeus, who assigned it to the genus Rudbeckia, calling it purple rudbeckia. Much later, Echinacea was separated into a separate genus of the same name, which today includes 10 species. Most often in medicine (both folk and official), as well as in horticulture, echinacea purpurea is used.
It comes from the North American continent, its eastern part, where it prefers to settle on the prairies, in fields, on rocky hills and sandy river banks. In Europe, the existence of echinacea was known after the discovery of America, and until the 30s of the twentieth century, it was used only as medicinal plant in traditional medicine. Fortunately, in 1938, Dr. Madaus from Germany became interested in her. He carefully studied chemical composition echinacea, described the possibilities of its use in official medicine, opening the way for medicines with echinacea to pharmacy counters.
And from about the 50s, American, Belgian, Norwegian, Soviet, Italian, French and other gardeners took up breeding work, bringing out more than a hundred not only healing, but also very beautiful varieties.
Echinacea: Botanical Features
Echinacea purpurea (Echinacea purpurea) is a herbaceous perennial about one meter high, with a restrained, discreet beauty. The stems of this plant are erect, ranging in height from half a meter to a meter, and sometimes up to one and a half meters. root system branched, with many processes penetrating the soil to a depth of 0.2-0.3 m. The leaves are collected in a rosette, broadly lanceolate, and the basal ones are placed on elongated petioles, and the stem ones are on shorter ones. Echinacea blooms mainly in summer, and blooms for one and a half to two months with large flowers with a basket diameter of 10-12 cm.
A characteristic feature of a flower is a convex center and hard petals. Inflorescences, as a rule, crown the top of the stem or grow from the axils of the upper leaves. Echinacea fruits are small (5-6 mm in length) tetrahedral achenes.
Medicinal properties of echinacea
For medical purposes, all parts of Echinacea that have reached the age of two to three years are used. First of all, echinacea purpurea is a powerful immunostimulant in case of physical and mental overwork, after radiation and cytostatic therapy, antibiotic treatment. This plant promotes the release of interferon - a protein that is responsible for increasing the body's immunity. If you take the right dose of echinacea tincture at the beginning of the disease, you are guaranteed to recover faster.
Of particular note is the fact that the use medicines based on echinacea for a long time is not addictive and does not depress the nervous system.
In total, at the moment, almost two and a half hundred drugs have been patented in the world, which include echinacea, including a drug for the treatment of AIDS.
Echinacea stems and roots the Indians also used it for snake and insect bites. And so far they are actively used to treat burns, wounds, venomous bites. And also Echinacea roots are a strong metabolic stimulant, adaptogen, aphrodisiac, antiseptic and very good diaphoretic for colds.
Professor Sergey Arkadievich Tomilin at one time compared echinacea with ginseng in terms of medicinal properties, and was one of the first scientists who recommended using it for depression, overwork, parametritis, tonsillitis, inflammation of internal organs, typhoid fever, tonsillitis, diphtheria, erysipelas, cerebral meningitis , osteomyelitis.
In addition, we add that the juice from fresh inflorescences of this plant has a beneficial effect on the process of wound healing in severe bedsores and burns of the first or third degree, improves blood clotting.
Products containing echinacea , also used to treat diseases caused by exposure to pesticides, fungicides, insecticides, heavy metals and others. chemical substances contained in food and in the air.
However, it is not a panacea echinacea: contraindications she also has. In particular, Echinacea should not be taken by lactating and pregnant women, with multiple sclerosis, leukemia, collagenosis, progressive tuberculosis and people in whom this plant causes a severe allergic reaction. In this way, use of echinacea possible only after a doctor's prescription.
The best varieties of echinacea: photo, description
Echinacea, depending on the variety and hybrid, may not be the traditional pink (raspberry, cherry), but also orange, and yellow, and white, and even green. But, regardless of color, all varieties have large, eye-catching inflorescences, and a pleasant aroma.
Echinacea Doubledecker (Doubledecker)
Let's start with the most unique - so far the only, stunningly beautiful semi-double variety. Its flowers are pale pink with a "tuft" different colors(a mixture of green, dark and light pink, dark and light green petals). This is a hardy Echinacea variety that blooms from July to September. Very picky about the sun, height - no more than half a meter.
Echinacea Double Scoop Cranberry
One of the most new varieties of echinacea , characterized by increased drought and frost resistance. It blooms in June-August with large double flowers of the color of ripe lingonberries. The height of the bush itself is up to 60 cm. Can be used for cutting. Very picky about the variety.
Echinacea Supreme Flamingo
This variety stands out for its soft coral or soft pink double flowers exuding a wonderful aroma. It blooms all summer, the height of the bush is up to half a meter. Feels good only in sunny places.
Echinacea Supreme Cantaloupe
This variety has large double salmon-colored flowers, very fragrant. The height of the bush is more than 70 cm. It blooms in June-October, needs sunlight.
Echinacea Secret Passion
Frost-resistant variety with a bush height of up to 60 cm, blooms in July-October. Its flowers are large, double, with a rich pink center and pale pink lower petals. Landing is recommended only in sunny places.
Echinacea Secret Affair (Secret Afea)
This cultivar is noted for its deep burgundy double flowers and its tolerance for slight shading. The height of the bush is up to 60 cm, flowering is observed in July-September. The variety is frost-resistant.
Echinacea Meringue (Meringa)
This echinacea is short (30-60 cm), with full white flowers, frost-resistant, requiring sunny places for planting. Blooms in June-August.
Echinacea Meteor Red (Meteor Red)
Frost-resistant variety with bushes up to 60 cm high, and large double flowers with rich red upper petals and orange-red lower ones. Blooms in July-September, can grow in slightly shaded areas.
Echinacea Eccentric (Eccentric)
The main "trick" of this variety is a very long flowering period, from June to October. The variety is frost-resistant, tolerates slight shading. The height of the bush is up to 60 cm, the flowers are large, double, red, in the middle - with a purple tint.
Echinacea Coconut Lime (Coconut Lime)
Frost-resistant variety with a unique color: the upper petals are bright green, the lower ones are white. The color itself is terry, large, and the bush is high - up to 70 cm. Flowering is observed in July-September. The variety is tolerant of shady areas.
Echinacea: cultivation and care
In addition to the amazing appearance and medicinal properties of echinacea can please with one more advantage: unpretentiousness to growing conditions and ease of care.
Place to plant echinacea
Echinacea is a sun lover, but some varieties feel good even in light partial shade, they tolerate heat and summer drought well, as well as strong ones. winter frosts. When to plant echinacea? Around the end of spring, a distance of half a meter or a little more is left between plants. As for the soil for echinacea, the main thing is that it is not acidic and not wet, rich in organic matter.
Echinacea care: watering and fertilizing
On windy and hot days, as well as during prolonged droughts, echinacea must be watered regularly, best of all in the late evening or early morning.
Echinacea is fed every year: at the end of May or at the beginning of June, 20 g of complex mineral fertilizer, after a month and a half, top dressing is repeated. And after the autumn pruning of the stems, a generous layer of compost mulch is laid.
pruning echinacea
In order for the plant to bloom longer and more abundantly, faded flower stalks should be removed. In autumn, all branches are cut to the level with the ground, and in spring the damaged parts of the bush are cut off.
Preparing echinacea for winter
Like everyone else herbaceous plants, the ground part of Echinacea dies off for the winter. It does not require special shelter for the winter - just mulch it well. In the spring it wakes up quite late, in May, and if the spring is cold, even later. But unexpected spring frosts she is not afraid.
Reproduction of echinacea
Reproduction of echinacea is carried out either by dividing the bush or by seed.
The division of the echinacea bush, unlike most herbaceous plants, is carried out not at the end of summer or autumn, but in the spring - before the leaves have fully blossomed, and the bases of the shoots have become woody. root cuttings and delenki before planting, it is recommended to soak for several hours in a liquid solution of an immunostimulant. When planting, make sure that the root collars are flush with the ground.
Sowing of echinacea seeds is carried out in the spring, so that before the onset of cold weather, the seedling has time to securely take root and bloom already on next year. It is better to germinate the seeds in advance. To do this, in February, they are sown in a box with soil to a depth of 0.5-1 cm, sprinkled with a thin layer of sand, gently watered and placed in a warm place. Seeds hatch in 15-35 days. AT open ground seedlings are transferred in early May. If you sow echinacea seeds immediately in open ground, you should do this no earlier than May, when the threat of night frosts has passed.
Diseases and pests of echinacea
Echinacea is quite resistant to diseases and pests, and if provided good soil suitable sunny place and minimal proper care, there should be no problems.
However, echinacea has been known to cause illness. In the case of waterlogging of the soil, spots first appear on the leaves, then the plant begins to fade, in extreme cases it dies. In conditions high humidity the plant becomes easy prey for fungal diseases, so at the first alarming symptoms, immediately stop watering and remove the affected leaves. If the disease has completely covered echinacea, you will have to use fungicides.
If the flower stalks are deformed on the plant, and the leaves turn yellow and stripes appear on them, it is most likely a virus. Treatment of echinacea in this case will be ineffective - the affected specimens are removed from the site and burned.
Echinacea in the garden
Echinacea looks very impressive in mixborders, planted in separate large groups. different varieties in the middle levels of mixed flower beds, as well as against the backdrop of tall trees. And for the front line of mixborders are well suited undersized varieties echinacea.
This plant goes well with perennial low-growing herbs, looks good in gardens in natural style. Echinacea will always look like a bright spot in the garden, attract birds and butterflies, and if you don’t remove the seed boxes for the winter, you will also get a nice winter garden decoration.
Echinacea in the garden coexists well with rudbeckia, dahlias, yarrows, monards, ornamental cereals, salvia and other plants. It is also worth mentioning that Echinacea is a first-class honey plant that attracts many bees to the garden.
Echinacea-many-sided beauty
Echinacea is an unpretentious plant in culture, striking the eye with a multitude of bright, very decorative, large flowers of various colors, a bit like daisies.
Bright, very decorative, large, varied in color, a bit like daisies
It is also a noble honey plant that will attract many to your garden and decorate it even more, dressing it up with bright colors of its flowers. Modern varietal Echinacea amaze with a variety of colors, they are not only purple, but also white, pink, yellow, raspberry, salmon and even orange.
Planting echinacea
Having invited echinacea to your garden, keep in mind that in the first year of life it forms only a rosette with leaves, and blooms only in the second! Flowering begins around mid-July, continues until mid-September.
“Growing echinacea will not take you much time if you immediately create the plant as much as possible. suitable conditions that will fully meet his needs, ”I read in one of the gardening magazines and decided to follow the sensible advice. I studied everything about echinacea: what temperatures this plant likes, on what soils it grows better, what it needs to be applied, and so on. Having drawn the appropriate conclusions from what she had read in specialized publications and on endless Internet spaces, she began landing.
So, we plant echinacea only in the sun, in the shade and even in partial shade, this heat-loving beauty will simply die. Carefully choosing a place to plant where it can grow for about 5 years. Remember that echinacea is not particularly demanding on the composition of the soil. The only thing is that it grows poorly and develops on light sandy soils. We decided on the place - we proceed to landing.
For planting, we prepare small holes about 5 cm deep with a distance of 30 cm. We pour a little on the bottom of these holes and only after that we plant the plant.
We plant echinacea only in the sun
If you bought an adult echinacea, there are quite a lot of them sold today - in small containers and pots, then you can plant it throughout the season. To do this, you need to dig a fairly large hole (about 40 cm deep) and fill it 1/3 with a mixture consisting of equal parts of sand, garden soil and compost. Echinacea, together with a clod of earth, must be carefully transferred from the pot into the pit and planted at the same depth at which it grew in the pot.
Reproduction of echinacea
Echinacea is easily propagated by seeds. They can be sown both in open ground and in pre-prepared containers. I sow only in containers, and why, you will learn a little later.So, we sow early enough - at the end of February, in a container with, to a depth of about 0.5 cm. Sprinkle them on top with literally a millimeter layer of ordinary sand, after which we gently moisten this sand with a spray gun. Before the seeds germinate, we nervously worry - at least it happened to me) By the way, I forgot to mention that echinacea is one of the few plants whose seeds germinate more easily at a temperature of about +13°C.
Seeds do not germinate for a long time, and the first time I sowed, I was very worried, thinking that I had done something wrong. But then, almost 1.5 months after sowing (namely, this is how much the seeds of this plant require for germination), a miracle happened - tiny seedlings appeared above a thin layer of sand. So, precisely because these seedlings in the first few weeks after the appearance are in great need of moisture and warmth, which are easy to provide at home and completely impossible on the street, I do not sow echinacea seeds in open ground.
In early May, a little grown seedlings are needed. Further, the seedlings do not need special care, just occasionally loosen the soil around them and water moderately.
Echinacea can also be propagated by dividing the bush, which is best produced in April. For better education we immerse the roots of the delenka for a couple of hours in a liquid solution and plant them, trying not to deepen the root collars, which should not be below the soil level.
Echinacea seeds different varieties You will find in our catalog, which contains the offers of various garden online stores.
Echinacea Primadonna White (1pack-1000pcs)
2 550 rub
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Echinacea Prairie Splendor Deep Rose (1pack-250pcs)
900 rub
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Echinacea Cheyenne Spirit (1pack-250pcs)
7 500 rub
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Echinacea Cheyenne Spirit (1pack-100pcs)
2 775 rubles
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Echinacea Care
Echinacea, as I wrote above, is completely unpretentious in care, but you still have to pay a little attention to it. First of all, she loves watering very much - quite plentiful and preferably evening.
Echinacea is very responsive to annual application and. During the season, it is enough to feed it only twice: in the spring, about a week after planting - as soon as the plant starts to grow, and also during the budding period.
In late autumn, around the end of October, all the stems must be cut off, and the root neck should be lightly composted and covered with a layer of ordinary dry leaves. They do this so that in case of little snow cold winter echinacea is not dead.
Types and varieties of echinacea
The genus Echinacea consists of 9 species, each of which is very good.Although in our time most gardeners grow echinacea strange and, rightly considering them the most decorative.
Echinacea strange (Echinacea paradoxa)
The only one in the family who can boast of a beautiful bright yellow color is the strange echinacea.
Echinacea purpurea (Echinacea purpurea)
Echinacea purpurea is the owner of spectacular large flowers, reaching 12 cm in diameter, in the center of which rises a brownish core, similar to a dome. At home, in Atlantic North America and Mexico, purple echinacea grows massively in the wild, choosing rocky hills, fields, limestone wastelands and forests. Throughout the summer, colorful spots of echinacea adorn heat-bleached landscapes and enliven them, filling them with brightness and even coolness.
Of the many varieties of purple echinacea, gardeners prefer to grow the following.
Variety "Cranberry Cupcake"
One of the most beautiful terry varieties, the flowers of which have a rich pink-purple hue.
Variety "Cranberry Cupcake"
Everyone perceives Echinacea as a classic garden and medicinal plant with very beautiful flowers, hard to the touch and retaining their special pink-purple color for a long time. This beauty adorns the splendor of powerful curtain bushes all autumn. And at the same time, the genus is quite extensive and not deprived of the attention of breeders who diligently breed all new varieties. AT last years among all the original selective forms, it was echinacea that broke into the ranks of the most "renewable" crops. The number of new cultivars that are moving farther in color from the basic and very attractive daisy-flowered plant with an exclusive shade of pink is not only surprising, but also makes us reconsider the view of echinacea as not very popular. ornamental plant. Today echinacea can boast bright varieties with lemon, yellow, orange color, interesting golden tints and unusual shape flowers. These outlandish beauties, which are not very similar to echinacea, can become one of the brightest exotics in any flower garden and even act as a soloist. Let's get acquainted with the most interesting and original varieties echinacea closer.
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this wealth of golden yellow color will demonstrate a surprisingly imposing variety " Harvest Moon". The reed flowers (petals) of this echinacea droop slightly, gathering in an elegant circle around a fairly large brown, with a golden tint, spherical "needle" convex core. This is one of the most luxuriant varieties: numerous flowers at the peak of flowering seem to be collected in lush bouquets. Graceful, as if absorbed Sun rays plants delight with a play of color, the effect of an inner glow, a noble palette. In height, this variety of echinacea will not exceed 80 cm. The charming Harvest Moon blooms without interruption from July to October.
Variety " Art's Pride" completely different. The core of the flower is small, rounded, its diameter is half that of the length of the petals, which grow almost straight. About 75 cm tall, this Echinacea captivates with rich orange tones. Bright coral-salmon petals of a rich tone are gathered around a dark, almost black center with rare color highlights, which creates the effect of a luminous halo. In contrast to the bright flowers, which captivate with their elegant noble beauty, the rich and dark emerald green makes this Echinacea variety, which blooms from July to mid-autumn, a real picturesque masterpiece.
Very similar in flower structure to "Art" s Pride "and less elegant with a large core and drooping petals variety" hot summer”, which, perhaps, has the most “clean” palette among all varieties of echinacea. Bright scarlet, not muted orange and transitional tones are presented on one plant, turning it into a real fiery bouquet: flowers of different colors open at the same time.
Bright orange, which can only be found in the garden with nasturtium, is inherent in another wonderful variety of echinacea - “ Tiki Torch". Charming and rich pure orange color, which at the base of the petals turns into a flashy red-orange, is inherent in the long petals in a circle gathered around a small, green-red original core. Combining with the most bright color forest greenery inherent in leaves and stems, these incredible the brightest flowers seem to have descended from the canvases of the Impressionists.
Looks very original and variety " Jade”, whose name (from English Jade) fully reflects the richness of the palette. White, densely planted, dissected at the tips of the petals with a slight mother-of-pearl tint are gathered around a large rounded core of a rich emerald green color, which is also exactly repeated in greenery, buds, and shoots. From a distance, this variety of echinacea looks like a bizarre thistle, but close up, it looks like an amazing dried flower. Fresh, with a cold palette, 'Jade' is one of the unique garden cultivars that looks like a tropical exotic.
One of the most fragrant varieties of echinacea " Fragrant Angel” is valued not only for its luxurious sweet smell, but also for the largest core among all echinacea, which looks more like a pompom placed on top of a flower. At first green, then becoming beige-golden, the ball in diameter exceeds the length of the petals, whose soft creamy-radiant color gives the whole flower an amazing pastel harmony. Watercolor in color, very delicate, with a picturesque play of shades, this "Angel" seems to be a magical vision, glowing from within.
Charming " Cleopatra” seems to be small suns frozen on the bushes. Around the brown-green core is a dense circle of thin and long petals of a bright lemon-yellow color, which at the base of the petal turns into almost white. Thanks to this transition, the flowers seem extremely large, and the unusual greenery - dark, with a marsh tint - only emphasizes their bright beauty.
Today more and more popular terry varieties, which look like unusual fluffy pompoms. One of the most famous and today - recognized as a classic variety " Coconut Lime”, the very first white terry form of echinacea. Resembling a huge ball with lower white petals diverging around, this beauty is painted in a light green-yellowish color scheme with an almost amber center and seems like a bizarre mistake of nature. Light, tender, with a powerful bush, this echinacea conquers with a combination of the original color, the strangest asymmetric shape and tenderness.
The brightest pink color can be found in another terry echinacea variety " Razzmatazz”, also one of the first obtained thanks to Dutch breeders. This beauty with an even color is a bit like a jellyfish: a ball-core, similar to a fur head, at the wide base ends with a row of wide petals that look down like “legs”. The greens of this echinacea are muted, which only emphasizes the brightness of the pink with a hint of fuchsia.
Variety " Kim's Knee High"- this is one of the most unusual varieties of squat echinacea, whose growth does not exceed half a meter. Spectacular, catchy, it combines an asymmetrical drooping, almost inverted circle of bright pink petals, whose color is reminiscent of "Razzmatazz" with a seemingly artificial core that seems to be a perfect ball thanks to light orange dots on dark cherry needle petals with a bronze sheen. Bright, motley, with completely different colors of the core and base of "Kim" s Knee High "against the background of unusually lush gray-green greenery, it seems like an elegant decoration, and not an unpretentious flower.
