Echinacea purpurea 'PowWow Wild Berry'
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Species Native to Missouri
Common Name: purple coneflower
Type: Herbaceous perennial
Family: Asteraceae
Zone: 3 to 8
Garden Location: Lois Whiteside Franklin Flower Trial Garden
Height: 2 to 3 feet
Spread: 1 to 1.5 feet
Bloom Time: June to August
Bloom Color: Purple
Bloom Description: Rose-purple rays with orange-brown center cone
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Water: Dry to medium
Maintenance: Low
Flowers: Showy Flowers
Wildlife: Attracts Birds, Attracts Butterflies
Tolerates: Clay Soil, Dry Soil, Shallow, Rocky Soil, Drought, Deer
Uses: Cut Flower, Dried Flower

Culture

Easily grown in average, dry to medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. Best in full sun. This is an adaptable plant that is tolerant of drought, heat, humidity and poor soil. Divide clumps when they become overcrowded (about every 4 years). Plants rebloom well without deadheading, however prompt removal of spent flowers encourages continued bloom and improves general appearance. 'PowWow Wild Berry' may be grown from seed, with flowers appearing in the first year about 20 weeks after sowing. In colder climates, start seed indoors in late January.

Noteworthy Characteristics

‘PowWow Wild Berry’ is a purple coneflower that features large, deep rose-purple flowers in a floriferous bloom from late spring to late summer, sometimes with additional sporadic bloom until frost. It typically grows in an upright clump to 2-3' tall and to 1-1.5' wide on sturdy, well-branched stems that do not need staking. Each flower (to 3-4" diameter) features downward-arching, overlapping, deep rose-purple rays which encircle a large orange-brown center cone. Narrow-ovate leaves (to 6” long) are medium green. Good fresh cut or dried flower. The dead flower stems will remain erect well into the winter, and if flower heads are not removed, the blackened cones may be visited by goldfinches or other birds that feed on the seeds. Echinacea comes from the Greek word echinos meaning hedgehog in reference to the spiny center cone found on most flowers in the genus. 'Pow Wow Wild Berry' is a 2010 All-America Selection (AAS) winner.

Problems

No serious insect or disease problems.

Garden Uses

Border fronts, rock gardens or part shade areas of open woodland gardens. Best in groups or massed. Attractive specimen/accent.

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