Although a study documented in the New England Journal of Medicine has shown "no clinically significant effects" of Echinacea extract, many people believe it stimulates the immune system. It does have some serious contraindications, so make sure to mention it, like any herbal treatment, to a doctor when questioned about current medications.
Drink in the beauty of these attractive, warm tomato red blooms that grow to an amazing 5 inches wide. Echinacea 'Tomato Soup' is a vigorous, well branched plant that grows to 3 feet tall and produces blooms in the summer and fall seasons. These plants will pair nicely with Echinacea 'Mac 'n' Cheese' to create eye-catching color in your garden landscapes and borders.
| Plant Types: | Perennial |
| Light: | Partial Shade to Full Sun |
| Height: | 2 feet 8 inches |
| Width: | 2 feet 8 inches |
| Zones: | 4a to 8b |
| Bloom Color: | Red |
| Bloom Seasons: | Mid summer, Late summer |
| Leaf Color: | Green |
| Special Features: | Attracts birds, Deer resistant |
| Shape: | Upright or erect |
| Fertilizer: | Composted Yard Trimmings, Miracle-Gro® Water Soluble All Purpose Plant Food |
| Want to know where Coneflower will thrive in your house or garden? The EasyBloom Plant Sensor will give you a plant's-eye view of your environment to measure soil, sunlight, temperature and humidity. |
Watch a Video > Learn More > Buy EasyBloom > |
Propagate via root cuttings, seed or transplanting self-sown plants. Stratification will help the seeds to germinate, but seeds collected from home-grown plants may still be difficult. Since the plants tend to clump, they can be divided and transplanted. Division entails propagating a plant by splitting it into 2 or more parts. Each part has its own root system and more than one shoot or dormant bud.
Blooms are good cut flowers. The root, used herbally, is harvested during the dormant season after a couple of years of growth.
Coneflowers do well in the garden or in pots. The long stalks on which the flowers develop make these plants good candidates for cut-flowers. They perform very well in heat. Can tolerate minimal shade. Works well in a herbaceous border or open woodland.
Generally blooms over a long period of time throughout the summer and may continue until frost. Flowers are slightly fragrant. Deadhead to lengthen flowering period.
Echinacea does best in deep, well-draining soil that is humus-rich. Water regularly, although they need less watering once established.
A high-quality fertilizer or compost may be helpful until your Echinacea are established.
Cut back stems well after flowering to prevent excessive self-seeding and to promote more growth.
Roots are susceptible to vine weevils. Leaf miners can also cause problems. Other issues include powdery mildew, gray mold, and bacterial spots.