Microsoft word - catch the coneflower craze 4-2005.doc
From Perennial Notes, Newsletter of the Wisconsin Hardy Plant Society, April 2005
Catch the Coneflower Craze!
As new varieties of plants are promoted in gardening magazines, catalogs and at our local garden centers, many ofus compile a list of some of the treasures that we’d like to try. The annual number of new plant introductions isstaggering, and typically our biggest limitation in acquiring these plants is our budget. While some gardenerscompete to be the first “on the block” to have a new, typically exotic, plant variety, don’t forget to remember theimportance and applicability of our native plants in our ornamental landscapes. Native trees, shrubs and perennialshave become more available and are increasingly being targeted by plant breeders for development into interestingand/or improved varieties for our landscapes.
A trend that you may have noticed over the past couple of years is the breeding development of our native,perennial coneflowers (Echinacea) for the gardening market. While the purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)has historically been popular in perennial gardens, new selections from this species, combined with the
hybridization or combination with otherspecies and varieties have created a widerange of choice selections that will thrive
HYBRIDS AND VARIETIES OF ECHINACEA PURPUREA CULTIVAR HEIGHT NOTES Abendsonne cerise-pink blooms, strong grower downward facing, creamy white petals pure white flower petals around gold dome center
and have a wide distribution in the United
Art’s Pride Orange Meadowbrite, tangerine blooms,
States and Canada. There are nine species
fragrant!
of Echinacea located across North America
lavender-purple blooms, mid-height Bright Star large, bright pink flowers
although the largest native populations can
Crimson Star dark, purple-red flower petals Cygnet White compact plant, creamy-white flower petals Doppelganger pink blooms, second petal layer 2nd year Double Decker two-tiered pink petal layers 2nd year, interesting
Greek echinos, meaning "sea urchin" or
Dwarf Star rosy-pink blooms on mid-size plant
"hedgehog," a reference to the prickly
Fancy Frills shaggy pink petals, very fragrant!, compact
scales of the seed head in the center of the
Finale White creamy white blooms, copper orange cone Fragrant Angel clear white blooms, very fragrant! Green Eyes magenta blooms, green centers, fragrant!
(Echinacea purpurea) is the most popular
compact dwarf, fragrant pink blooms!
of the garden species and, along with some
pink blooms, second layer of petals on top white petals surrounding green center Kim’s Knee High dwarf, drooping pink petals, fragrant
framework for aggressive breeding that has
Kim’s Mophead dwarf, drooping creamy-white petals
created many garden-worthy specimens. Little Giant dwarf, reddish-pink blooms, fragrant! Lustre Hybrids pure white thru purple to deep red shades tall, clear purple blooms, award-winner
Coneflowers typically range in height from
12" to 48". They bloom throughout the hot
Meadowbrite mango-yellow blooms, fragrant!
summer, enjoy full sun situations and are
drooping rose-pink petals
very drought-tolerant once established. drooping petals, rosy-pink color Paranoia compact dwarf, rigid yellow blooms Prairie Frost magenta blooms, variegated foliage! Primadonna
once established. The flower petals of these
Deep Rose lavender-rose blooms, 6" wide flowers, showy! Razzmatazz double, “pom-pom” pink blooms
"daisy-shaped" blooms can curve upwards,
Robert Bloom upright petals in purple-rose shades Rubin Glow purple-red blooms, petals drooping from center
"architecture" of these blooms has become
Ruby Giant huge pink blooms,upcurved petals Ruby Star horizontal reddish-purple petals
a very important feature of the plant. Satellite Mixed mix of pink and white shades, all with gold cone
Butterflies and other wildlife also utilize
Sparkler frosted white foliage, fragrant pink blooms! Spinning Top semi-double, rosy-red blooms thru summer Starlight carmine-rose flowers, horizontal petals, sturdy buttery-yellow blooms, fragrant!
medicinal use for Echinacea that continues
vibrant orange blooms, fragrant! Taplow Crimson rich crimson-purple blooms, very dark center large, rose-red blooms, sturdy grower
throughout the world utilizing this herb as
Vintage Wine reddish-purple blooms on strong grower White Lustre white petals surrounding orange center White Swan white blooms, dark center, fragrant!
The Echinacea breeding and trialing programs have been focusing on crossing various species and varieties tocreate new flower colors, shorter plants, interesting flower shapes, sweet fragrance and now, variegated foliage!Coneflowers, once simply purple, white and occasionally the rare yellow, now come in shades or rose, pink, cream,white, wine-red, yellow and orange. There are many shades in between, and lots more to come. This coneflowercraze is showing no signs of slowing up and will continue to offer the home gardener many options for enjoyingthese Echinacea varieties. See the accompanying chart to see some of the wonderful varieties and hybrids thatoriginate from our native Echinacea purpurea. While these traits may affect your selection of a particular variety, allof these plants have the same tough disposition and can be a great addition to your garden. Consider being part ofthe coneflower craze this year and realize that the excitement is just beginning!
The Fluoride and Infertility Connection Where Do We Go From Here? By Heidi M. Jost RN, CCP IKH, CH Male and female infertility is increasing. The effects of fluoride on female and male fertility are and have been an area of growing concern. Our environment has become a fluoride dumping ground. Fluoride is in our air (It is the number one pollutant.), water, soil, food,