Echinacea purpurea Leuchtstern - Purple Coneflower

Echinacea purpurea 'Leuchtstern' is a variety with very large candy pink flowers carried by strong foliage. The inflorescences are formed by trailing petals ranging from bright pink to lilac pink around a prominent brown-orange cone. This tall upright perennial flowers from July to September. Popular among enthusiasts, it is ideal for cutting or drying and a very resilient plant that adapts to difficult conditions, tolerating intense heat, humidity, and occasional drought.

Native to the western United States, from Georgia to Michigan through Oklahoma and Ohio, Rudbeckia purpurea is a perennial with a strong character that colonizes its natural habitat of rocky meadows, savannas, clear undergrowth, and road edges. 'Leuchtstern' (syn. 'Bright Star') is a horticultural selection with larger and more durable flowers than the species. It has an upright clumping habit, reaching 70 to 80 cm (28 to 32in) high and 45 cm (18in) in wide. This plant performs well in borders. The deciduous, opposite, lanceolate, green leaves are covered in rough hairs. Flowering occurs from July to the end of summer, accompanying Inulas, asters, and ornamental tobaccos, and it is loved by butterflies. The branched, reddish-green stems end in a solitary large head, measuring 13 to 15 cm (5 to 6in) in diameter, with a prominent disk, like a pompom of tiny brown-orange florets. This centre is surrounded by thin, trailing pink 'petals'. The fruit is an achene that releases seeds that birds love. This plant anchors firmly and deeply in the soil with its well-developed root system.

Echinacea purpurea 'Leuchtstern' has very bright flowers, pleasant to see on slightly misty autumn days. It is planted in mixed borders with other pink flowers whose forms contrast (ornamental tobaccos, daylilies, carnations) or inulas, asters, yarrows, daisies, echinops, and phlox. Lighten the scene by mixing in some ornamental grasses such as Stipa tenuifolia and Muhlenbergia capillaris. Gorgeous in borders, the beautiful colour is also superb in fresh or dried flower arrangements.

The scent of Echinacea varies depending on the stage of flowering. Initially, when the florets are in an upright crown, the scent is barely perceptible. At full bloom, when the florets droop as if drained of their strength, it exhales a delicate honey scent, very attractive to bees, butterflies, and other insects. Once pollinated, the scent takes on a more vanilla note

Properties: In homoeopathy, its root is renowned for combating colds and strengthening the immune system. These properties were first used by Native Americans. The name Echinacea comes from the Greek word echinos, which means "hedgehog-like," and acea, meaning "having the shape of," alluding to the flower heads. Purpurea means "purple."