Echinacea purpurea 'Kim's Knee High'
Tried and True Recommended by 8 Professionals
Species Native to Missouri
Common Name: purple coneflower
Type: Herbaceous perennial
Family: Asteraceae
Zone: 3 to 8
Garden Location: Enterprise Rent-A-Car Flower Borders
Height: 1 to 2 feet
Spread: 1 to 2 feet
Bloom Time: June to August
Bloom Color: Pink
Bloom Description: Clear pink
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: Will Naturalize

Culture

Easily grown in average, dry to medium moisture, well-drained soil 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. Plants usually rebloom without deadheading, however prompt removal of spent flowers improves general appearance. Cut stems back after flowering to promote a mid-August bloom that may continue intermittently into fall. Divide clumps when they become overcrowded (about every 4 years). This is a patented plant.

Noteworthy Characteristics

‘Kim’s Knee High’ is a compact or dwarf version of the familiar species plant. It is noted for its short habit and long summer bloom. It typically begins blooming when its rigid stems reach 15” tall (knee high). If not cut back, plants may eventually reach 24” in height by the end of the summer. This is a daisy-like coneflower that features drooping, clear rose-pink to purple-pink rays and large, pin cushion-like, coppery-orange to dark bronze central cones. Coarsely-toothed, dark green leaves (to 6” long). Good fresh cut or dried flower. The dead flower stems will remain erect well into the winter, and if flower heads are not removed, are often visited by goldfinches that perch on or just below the blackened cones to feed on the seeds. Echinacea comes from the Greek word echinos meaning hedgehog in reference to the flower’s spiny center cone. ‘Kim’s Knee High’ is a selection of Kim Hawks of Niche Gardens, Chapel Hill, North Carolina. U. S. Plant Patent PP12,242 issued December 4, 2001.

Problems

No serious insect or disease problems.

Garden Uses

Border fronts, rock gardens or part shade areas of open woodland gardens.