Echinacea purpurea Chiquita - Purple Coneflower

Echinacea 'Chiquita' is a new compact variety with very bright pale yellow flowers and a prominent brown-orange centre, it is the miniature version of the 'Aloha' variety.

Originating from the United States, this perennial forms a dense, very compact, hardy clump. The deciduous, lanceolate, green leaves are covered in bristly hairs. The reddish, ramified stems are topped with a solitary 8cm (3in) diameter head, with a prominent, bristly, orange-brown disc, and bright pale yellow ligules.

The 'Chiquita' purple coneflower, which is melliferous, thrives in fertile, deep, loose, moist and well-drained soil in a sunny location. Mulch the base in May to retain moisture in summer, as it is susceptible to drought. Excellent for cutting or drying.

The purple coneflower 'Chiquita' is used in mixed borders with other varieties or alongside lupins, Amaranths and Astilbes.

Properties: In homeopathy, it is used for colds and to strengthen the immune system.