Echinacea paradoxa - seeds

Echinacea paradoxa, or Yellow Coneflower, is a decorative perennial with many assets. Its flowering lasts almost all summer and is colourful and highly sculptural. Its large compound flowers, like daisies, are a very bright golden yellow and brighten up the flower beds. A central brown chocolate heart creates a strong contrast, while the pendulous petals on either side create an original and aesthetic design. A tall perennial that forms beautiful clumps in sunny locations.

Echinacea belongs to the vast family of Asteraceae (formerly known as Compositae, in reference to the structure of the inflorescences, composed of tubular flowers in the centre, and ligulate flowers on the periphery). There are nine species of Echinacea, all native to the United States, and closely related to Rudbeckias. Echinacea paradoxa grows wild in clearings and meadows in the states of Missouri, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Texas. This species is unique in its yellow flowering while the others are generally pink-mauve or violet.
This herbaceous perennial plant forms vigorous clumps, reaching up to 90 cm high and 50 cm wide. From late spring, long rigid stems form, topped with large yellow flowers measuring 8 to 10 cm in diameter. The ligulate flowers on the periphery are yellow, while the small, tightly packed central tubular flowers form a dome of chocolate brown, together making a flower head. These compound "flowers" contrast beautifully with the medium to dark green foliage, consisting of very narrow leaves. This neactar-rich and fragrant Yellow Coneflower attracts numerous pollinating insects, such as bees and butterflies. If the stems and faded flowers are left in place, the dried heads will be very decorative in the winter garden, and the seeds can be eaten by birds.

The Yellow Coneflower will fit well in a mixed-border, a wide flower bed adjacent to a winding grassy path, typical of English gardens... or in a varied bed in the French or German style. When planted in a sunny location, this tall perennial will form the second rank alongside other tall flowers such as the superb Delphiniums (Delphinium). Choose blue varieties that will create striking contrasts. Campanula lactiflora Prichard will play the same role with its lush spikes of blue star-shaped flowers. At the edge, choose low-growing perennials to create layers of vegetation, such as Hemerocallis Poogie, with its large pastel pink star-shaped flowers, or Scabiosa Pink Mist, with its slightly deeper pink flowers throughout the summer.

The term Echinacea comes from the Greek word Echinos, meaning Hedgehog, in reference to the spiky seed cones of these plants. Echinacea is a medicinal plant used in homoeopathy as a short-term immune stimulant to prevent infections. This plant was also known to Native Americans who used its leaves to combat rheumatism and certain childhood diseases, and its roots to treat burns and toothaches.