The perennial and hardy coneflower belongs to the perennials. This applies to both the yellow coneflower (Rudbeckia) and the red coneflower (Echinacea), which is used as a medicinal plant primarily to strengthen the immune system.

Both the red and yellow coneflowers are perennials

What is a perennial?

Botanists and gardeners understand a perennial to be a plant with certain properties. Perennials are herbaceous and do not become woody like trees or shrubs. The aerial plant parts of many perennials die off each year after the growing season and grow again the following year. The underground parts (roots, bulbs, tubers or similar) overwinter. But there are also evergreen perennials, such as banana trees.

What types of coneflowers are there?

Rudbeckia and Echinacea have a similar appearance with petals radiating like daisies. However, the flower head in the middle makes the genus very easy to identify. It is soft in the Rudbeckia, prickly and hard in the Echinacea.

There are different varieties of each of the two genera of coneflowers. The yellow coneflower flowers from July to October, not only in bright yellow but also in variations of orange-red or red-brown. Depending on the variety, the height of growth varies from approx. 40 cm to approx. 2 m for the slit-leaved coneflower.

The classic color of the purple coneflower is purple-pink. The color palette on offer now ranges from white to soft pink and orange to orange-red. The flowering period is somewhat shorter than that of the yellow coneflower, namely from July to September. Both genera are also available with double flowers.

Plant coneflowers properly

Coneflower likes it sunny and warm, as the name suggests. The soil should be rich in nutrients, rather moist for the Rudbeckia, but permeable for the Echinacea. Depending on the space available, you have the choice between low-growing ground covers and tall-growing perennials.

The essentials in brief:

  • decorative and easy to care for
  • hardy
  • warm sunny location
  • plant as sheltered from the wind as possible
  • Yellow coneflower: moist soil, flowering period July to October
  • Red coneflower: well-drained soil, flowering period July to September
  • Echinacea: well-known medicinal plant for strengthening the immune system

tips and tricks

Plant coneflowers around the edges of your vegetable patch to keep snails away from your precious vegetables.

Category:

Herbs