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How To Grow Echinacea:
One of the best perennial flowers for late summer and early autumn
is Echinacea Purpurea, a plant often referred to as the purple
coneflower. This plant is a native of N. America growing from
Virginia to Ohio, Michigan, south to Georgia and Louisiana. It is
found growing in open fields, dry open woods and prairies.
A member of the compositae or daisy family, it is
well known to gardeners and wildflower enthusiasts around the world.
Cultivation is easy Echinacea prefers light, loamy, well-drained
soil and a sunny position, but it will tolerate dappled shade. This
is a very ornamental plant; it attracts butterflies and useful
insects into the garden such as bees and hover flies. The long
lasting flowers with their slightly backward pointing flower petals
when fully open, bloom from July through to end of September are
good subjects for the flower border. The daisy-like flowers with
large, rich purple or pink rays surround a high brownish-orange
cone; bring a touch of summer to the borders.
The flower heads can reach 4 to 5 in. (10cn-13cm) in diameter. Stems
are long 2 to 3 ft. (60cm-90cm) high, slender but stout, rough and
bristly; the leaves are also bristly, and dark green. The roots are
tapering, cylindrical, slightly spiral, and fibrous with as aromatic
smell. Echinacea Purpurea is the most common species found in garden
centres and nurseries but there are also some delightful cultivators
available.
Some months ago there was an epidemic amongst the members of my keep
fit class, someone had discovered Echinacea for treating colds and
the word quickly spread resulting in everyone rushing off to the
health shop to get this fix remedy for their winter ails. Now I have
been growing this plant and some of the varieties in my garden for
several years and though I am well aware of its usefulness as an
herbal treatment, I was not aware of just how popular an herbal
treatment it is. For centuries it has been used to treat various
ailments such as poisonous insect and snake bites, toothaches,
mumps, small pox, blood purifier, measles and as a general immune
system enhancer.
Apparently Echinacea is one of the top selling
herbs in the US for its immune enhancing properties. Research has
shown that taking Echinacea at the first sign of a cold or flu can
decrease the duration and intensity of the symptoms.
Many people are familiar with its use in alternative medicine to
support the immune system, and to purify the blood, especially
during season changes and during the cold and flu season. Scientific
studies have confirmed the presence of natural chemicals, which
increase white blood cell activity.
The root now confirmed by modern science as an
alterative, anti-inflammatory, antibiotic, antiseptic, aphrodisiac,
depurative, diaphoretic, digestive, treatment. The roots and the
whole plant are considered particularly beneficial in the external
treatment of psoriasis, eczema and inflammatory skin conditions,
sores, wounds, burns, and sore throat, possessing cortisone-like and
antibacterial activity as well as showing skin regenerating
properties. It also contains chemicals that are highly repellent
particularly to mosquitoes and houseflies.
PESTS & DISEASE: There have been no significant diseases
found which affect the roots of Echinacea plants, but cucumber
mosaic virus has been noted to cause yellow mottling on the leaves.
This appears to be a direct reaction to aphid leaf infestation.
Therefore, aphid control on young plants is recommended.
HARVESTING: Autumn is the best time to harvest Echinacea
roots, - harvest after the first frost. Expect roots to range from 8
in. (20cm) to a possible 24 in. (30cm). The moisture content is
normally lower than it is in spring. Plants are required to grow for
three to four years before they are ready to be harvested. Once
roots have been harvested they should be cleaned and dried. Two
possible methods for drying the roots are, under low forced heat, or
dried in open air in the sun.
When harvesting seed heads for seed, it is best to harvest at the
end of summer close to the first frost when the stalks are brown and
brittle. Harvesting the flowers is done in mid July when they are in
full bloom. Pick flowers first thing in the morning for optimum
medicinal quality. Process the same day preferably within four hours
(for fresh tincture): Dry the plant material fast and cool
(artificially).
Harvesting for the whole plant - cut in full bloom just after dew
has dried, but not in the heat of the day for optimum medicinal
quality. Process the same day preferably within four hours (for
fresh tincture).
PROCESSING/DRYING: Drying of the herb is easily accomplished,
however, it should be noted that drying at a moderate temperature of
20 - 25 degrees Celsius works best. The different parts of the plant
will require various amounts of time to dry effectively, with the
herbage and seed heads taking the longest.
Of the several varieties of Echinacea the three most popular are
Purpurea, Angustifolia and Pallida. They are harvested for their
roots, flower heads, seeds, or juice of the whole plant and can then
be made into capsules, extracts, tinctures and tea. Other species
are probably just as effective medicinally but little research has
been done on them.
VARIETIES:
Echinacea Pallida: An elegant sweet-scented coneflower with
spidery petals. Fine border and cut flower.
Echinacea Paradoxa White Swan: Strong
honey fragranced flowers in 16 weeks, often with 14+ 4-4.5in blooms
out at once. Long lived for border, bedding or cutting.
Echinacea Paradoxa var. paradoxa: A real paradox! This is the
rare and most unusual 'purple cone flower' with yellow flowers. Back
in 1902 it was first named Brauneria paradoxa and after further
changes to its taxonomy is now a member of the Echinaceas. A prized
and seldom offered border plant.
Echinacea Purpurea Magnus: An outstanding selection of the
'Cone Flower', distinguished by the warm bright colour of its
exceptionally large flowers. The slender elegance and formality of
its petals give it a style that will add class to larger flower
arrangements. In the border it is no less valuable on account of its
robust strong stems and general vigour which give 'Magnus' good wind
and weather resistance.
Echinacea Purpurea: Their brilliant carmine colour, huge
flowers and 'cut and come again' capabilities achieve a stunning
effect in the garden and for house decoration. Strong stemmed, very
weather resistant and much longer lived than their close relation
the Rudbeckia. Easy perennials for beds and borders, tolerating dry
soil and wind. Flower in their first season from an early sowing.
Flowers mid summer to winter. Height 1m (36in).
Bioforce Echinacea Toothpaste
Bioforce Echinacea Cream
Article
©MrsGreenFingers.co.uk 2005 No Unauthorised Distribution in full or
in part without express written permission.
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