This week I asked my co-worker Laurie what her favourite plant was. She chose the Coneflower (Echinacea) which is a herbaceous perennial plant.
Interview with Laurie
Me: Laurie, why did you pick this as your favorite plant? What do you like about it?
Laurie: It is a great plant! There are a whole bunch of reasons why it is one of my favourite plants. The bloom is long so you can maximize the time it is flowering for in your garden. It’s a straightforward plant to take care of and isn’t too time-consuming. They grow quick and bush, so if you need something to fill a spot this is a great option. They also come in a few different colours so you can choose which one you like the most. I have them in my garden and they simply make me happy every time I see them!
Me: Do you know any basic care instructions off of the top of your head?
Laurie: Yeah I can tell you a few! Like I said they are pretty simple to grow which makes their care fairly easy. Just make sure that they are in a sunny spot in your garden and that they are getting regular water, especially in the dry months of the summer. They also need to be in well-draining soil if possible because they don’t like to have wet roots.
Me: Thanks for sharing Laurie! I’m glad this plant makes you happy because that is what gardening is all about!
Absolutely! It is your garden so you should plant things that make you smile and want to keep gardening!
How to care for your Echinacea
Sunlight: They prefer full to partial sunlight. Choose a location with enough sunlight for the best results.
Soil: Echinacea plants prefer well-drained soil Choose a location in the garden with good quality soil, and if you need something that is a little more rich feel free to till the existing soil with topsoil to maximize the drainage.
Watering: The Echinacea is relatively drought-tolerant once established, so avoid overwatering. Water the plant deeply when the soil is dry to the touch, but allow the soil to dry out between waterings.
Fertilizing: Echinacea doesn’t require heavy fertilizing. You can apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in the spring, but avoid excessive nitrogen, which can lead to leggy growth and reduced flower production.
Pruning: Deadhead spent flowers by cutting them back to encourage the plant to produce more blooms.
Division: They benefit from division every few years to maintain their growth. Simply dig up a section of the plant and move it to a different area of your garden.
What exactly is a Herbaceous Perennial?
A Herbaceous Perennial is a plant that has non-woody stems that reach their full height and produce flowers once a year, before dying back over the winter and then reappearing the following spring.
What can you do with an Echinacea?
The flowers are traditionally dried as a herbally supplement. The petals, roots, and leaves are all edible. They are commonly dried and steeped into teas
Thanks for the post, Meghan! I noticed that enchina is in my immunity boost tea. Wondering if maybe there’s a reason for that or if you know anything about its traditional uses?