Michael A. Stecker
mike@mstecker.com


 

 


Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) close-up

A member of the sunflower family or Compositae.  The Compositae have two kinds of flowers combined in one flower head - strap-like ray flowers around the outside of the head and disk flowers in the center of the head.  The ray flowers make up what would be thought of as the petals.

Height: 2-3 feet
Flower heads: pink/lavender petals surrounding an iridescent red-orange, coned center
Germination: 15-30 days
Optimum soil temperature for germination: 70-75F
Sowing depth: 1/8"
Blooming period: June-October