Echinacea (Echinacea) is a genus of nine species belonging to the family Asteraceae.
All Echinacea are perennial herbaceous plants found in nature in the east and central regions of North America. They grow in the dry prairies, in meadows and clearings of the forest belt.

Echinacea - large plants. In favorable conditions, their stems can reach one and a half meters in height. The leaves are dark green, whole, rough from numerous hairs. The flowers are collected in large attractive inflorescences, very similar to the familiar daisies, but the edge reed flowers are painted in bright colors (pink, pinkish-purple, yellow, less often white or greenish). The central part of the inflorescence, as a rule, is also brightly colored in dark purple, black, yellowish-green tones, convex, round, similar to a hedgehog bristling with needles. Thanks to this, the plant got its name, because the Greek word echinos means "prickly", "hedgehog". The most famous species - Echinacea purpurea (E. purpurea) - was described in 1753 by Carl Linnaeus, who carried it to the genus Rudbeckia (Rudbeckia). Almost half a century later, the German botanist Conrad Moench singled out Echinacea as a separate genus.

The first to use Echinacea as a remedy for cold began some tribes of North American Indians. Kiowa and Cheyenne treated her for cough and sore throat, and almost all were used as an analgesic. There is a legend that people have learned about the beneficial properties of this plant, watching moose and deer, who ate echinacea, being sick. Since then, among the indigenous population of North America, it has been named "deer root".

Echinacea - medicinal plants, In this capacity, they were used by the North American Indians, giving preference to one of the species: echina angustifolia (E. angustifolia). In European medicine of the XIX - early XX centuries, echinacea was considered one of the main antimicrobial agents. It has also been used to treat snakebites, anthrax, and pain relief. In the 30s of the XX century, the plant became extremely popular among homeopaths in Europe and America. Modern medicine has not yet developed an unambiguous attitude towards echinacea. Disputes about whether any one substance or their complex, present in plant raw materials in a unique proportion, has a healing effect, does not subside. However, it should be borne in mind that, firstly, echinacea contains a large number of allergens. Secondly, the use of immunostimulants is not recommended for young children. For adults, echinacea medications are usually helpful in fighting colds and flu.

Cultivation in the garden and at the cottage

Echinacea, the inhabitants of the vast prairies (North American steppes) and sun-drenched meadows, require in the garden a sunny location, if possible protected from the wind, which is able to knock down or even break their high stems.

Echinaceas are valued not only as medicinal and ornamental plants. They are good honey-nuts and even used to feed cattle. In Russia, the first species of Echinacea introduced into culture in the early XIX century.
Currently, the most widespread in gardens is Echinacea purpurea - a perennial herb, reaching a height of one meter. The root leaves are collected in a lush rosette, they are wide, oval in shape, serrated along the edge, sit on long petioles. Stems are strong, weakly branching. Inflorescences are large, up to 15 cm in diameter. Marginal ligulate flowers are purple-pink, 4-5 cm long, elongated at the end into a graceful tip.
As discolouration, the central disc of the inflorescence becomes more and more convex, as it "grows" upward, taking a dome-shaped or conical shape. This increases the decorative effect, such specimens are successfully used in winter bouquets and dry flower compositions. Blooms echinacea purple from July in fact until frost. The first flowers can give full seeds.

About ten years ago, Richard Saul from Atlanta (Georgia, USA) crossed the purple and amazing Echinacea, marking the beginning of a promising line of hybrids known to gardeners around the world under the name “Big Sky series”. The varieties of this series differ not only in the variety of colors: orange, ocher, yellow, apricot, carmine red, but also in the presence of a pleasant honey smell. Their stems are strong and resistant to wind, branch well, which means they give more inflorescences.

The first in the series was a variety of "Sunrise" with wide, pale yellow edge flowers and a greenish-yellow disc. It was followed by "Sunset" with salmon-orange edge flowers and a brown convex disc. And, finally, the gardeners froze in admiration for the third grade "Twilight", with bright pink edge flowers surrounding the flaming red disc. Variety «Harvest Moon», also «Matthew Saul», pleases with bright yellow bent-down edge flowers and golden-orange disc. "Sundown", also called "Evan Saul", became the latest novelty in the series with shining orange-red edge flowers and a dark red disc.

Peculiarities of growing

Soils are required fertile, well-treated, fairly dry. Light sandy soils are not suitable for Echinacea cultivation, as well as heavy clayey soils with surface water close to the surface. Plants respond well to the addition of a small amount of lime in the hole.
In general, Echinaceus are quite unpretentious.

They need regular care: weeding, removing faded inflorescences. In additional watering, as a rule, do not need, content with rain and soil moisture. Before planting in the soil, apply a complex mineral fertilizer, add nutritious compost. In early summer, it is useful to feed the curtains with organic fertilizer (mullein infusion, green fertilizer).
High stems of Echinaceus sometimes require artificial supports, especially in regions with strong winds.

Faded stems for winter are cut to the root, sometimes they are used in winter bouquets. The transplant is recommended every 3-4 in the spring (April-May) or in the fall (September). It is not recommended to disturb Echinacea more often, and even with a planned transplant, it is necessary to handle the plant with care. Curtina is divided neatly, untangling and carefully separating the rhizomes from each other, in no case tearing. Try to keep the soil on thin end roots.
flower abundance
Propagate by Echinacea seeds and vegetatively (by dividing curtains, parts of rhizomes). seed rise without stratification, but the percentage of germination is very low. When sowing in May in the open ground shoots appear in 2 weeks. By autumn, a rosette of leaves 10-20 cm in height is formed. Bloom young plants in the second year.

The flowering period lasts from mid-July to mid-to-late September. In the middle zone of Russia, seeds only mature in the inflorescence, which blossomed first, and then under the condition of a good warm autumn. Experts recommend sowing seeds with Echinacea in February-March in boxes on the windowsill. The specimens obtained with the help of seedlings can please the blossom by the end of the summer of the first year of life.

True, the chances of successful wintering in such plants are reduced. To help them to endure the winter without losses, sacrifice the first flowers, remove the emerging buds.
Echinacea is quite thermophilic. In severe, snowless winters, they can freeze. Young plants sometimes do not survive the usual winter, so they need an easy shelter from dry leaves and lapnika.

In garden design, echinacea is used in many ways. Most often they are introduced into the mixborders, where these bright attractive "daisies" proudly rise in the background. Plant them and against the background of the lawn, and then Echinacea form a magnificent autumn bonfires, blazing pink flashes. And above them, like bright sparks, beautiful butterflies, a peacock's eye and admirals whirl. Good echinacea and in solitary plantings along the edge of woody and shrub plantations. The cut, pink chamomile of the prairies stand perfectly in the water.

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