WELLNESS The GARDEN

by MEGAN MOORE

Also known as purple coneflower, echinacea is a legendary wellness herb associated with Great Plains Native Americans. In folk remedies, it was chewed to relieve toothaches and sore throats, as well as applied topically to help with wound and skin healing.1 Today, echinacea is popular in herbal teas and dietary supplements for its potential to support healthy immune function, especially in the context of upper respiratory concerns.2

Echinacea’s large, solitary purple blooms perched atop tall stems add a dramatic splash of color to flower, native and naturalistic gardens. Cutting back some of the blooms while allowing others to thrive can extend flowering well into the fall. Although echinacea is easy to grow from seed, it requires a cold, moist period called stratification to germinate, and may not flower in its first year. Echinacea attracts several helpful pollinators, including butterflies.

Echinacea

ECHINACEA PURPUREA

LIFECYCLE: perennial

WHEN TO GROW: spring or fall

WHERE TO GROW: USDA zones 3–9

GERMINATION TIME: 15–30 days

LIGHT: full sun/partial shade

DEPTH: ⅛ inch

SOIL: well-drained

WATER: frequently

HARVEST/MATURITY: mid-summer to early fall

PARTS USED: roots, leaves, flowers