Preferences:

A North American perennial that prefers full sun, is drought resistant and does best in well drained areas. Light shade enhances the purple of the ray flowers as I find full sun bleaches out some of the colour.

Cultural Practices:

Propagation - Sow in late February at 21 - 23 degrees for 1 to 2 weeks. Put outside in mid April and the seedling should be ready for transplanting in early May. Clump division should be done every 4 years in the spring.

Landscape Value:

Common Cultivars - 'Magnus' was the 1998 perennial of the year. 'White Swan' is the common white variety.

Herbal use - Echinacea angustifolia and Echinacea pallida are often sited as the traditional Native healing plants to cure wounds, bee stings, poisonous snakebites, tumours, etc. Today most people know Echinacea purpurea as the immune stimulant that if taken just before a cold will break it or reduce the cold. The plant has antiviral and antibacterial effects.

The roots are used. The plant should have several frosts before collecting. The root is cleaned and dried. Potency will be increased if the plant is not planted in optimal growing conditions with high fertilizer rates. It should be noted that you can not take Echinacea on a regular basis your body will build immunity. Echinacea is only affective if taken just before you get sick.