Scientific Name: Echinacea purpurea

Height: The Echinacea plant typically grows to a height of 60-90cm or 24-35 inches. This makes it a medium-sized plant that can fit well in various garden settings.

Days to Maturity: Echinacea plants have a relatively long maturity period, taking approximately 120 days to reach full maturity. This means that it requires patience and care over several months to fully develop and bloom.

Sun Preference: Echinacea plants thrive in sunny locations but can also tolerate partial shade. Providing adequate sunlight is essential for the healthy growth and flowering of these plants.

Plant Type: Echinacea is classified as a perennial plant, meaning it lives for more than two years. Perennials like Echinacea have the advantage of returning year after year, adding continuity and beauty to garden landscapes

Appearance : Pinkish-purple ,The flower heads are cone-shaped with brown-domed centres. The ray flowers grow in 1 to 2 rows, often purplish, and spread or droop downwards. Rough to touch, scattered along the stems, becoming smaller towards the top.

Harvesting : Harvest flowers when outer petals are emerging around the cone. Harvest cones while still fully intact and remove outer petals. To dry cones, remove all petals and hang upside down in a warm, dark place for 2 – 3 weeks.

Vase Life: . Vase life can be expected for 7 – 10 days when fresh.

Drying Options: Hang upside down in a dark and warm area.

Special Features: Echinacea is rich in antioxidants that help defend the body against oxidative stress. Some of these antioxidants include flavonoids, cichoric acid, and Rosmarinus acid. These antioxidants are particularly abundant in extracts from the flowers and roots of the plant.

Design features: I love the full flower as well as just the textural cone. It is a lovely feature in an arrangement as well as a bouquet and is quite hardy.