Duo of Echinacea purpurea and E. purpurea Alba - Purple coneflower

This duo of echinaceas at a low price will flower all summer in beds with easy and generous perennials. Echinacea purpurea and its variant 'Alba', known as purple coneflowers, stand out for their robustness and long-lasting flowering, between July and October. The purple Echinacea displays pinkish-purple flowers, while its 'Alba' form brightens the garden with white flowers. These perennial plants, which can reach a height of 80 cm to over 1 m, find their place in large country-style beds. Withstanding temperatures as low as -20°C, they are easy to grow in many regions.

The duo consists of:

1 x Echinacea purpurea: this is the wild species with bright pinkish-purple flowers and dark green leaves. The flowering period generally extends from July to September, and it can reach a height of 80 cm to 1.20 m depending on the growing conditions.

1 x Echinacea purpurea 'Alba': this variety stands out for its white flowers with a large orange centre. Its flowering occurs at the same time as that of the classic Echinacea purpurea, but it is usually a bit shorter, reaching a maximum height of 90 cm.

These echinaceas appreciate full sun or partial shade and well-drained soil. They are perfect for beds or large country-style borders. Ideally, the smaller Echinacea purpurea 'Alba' should be placed at the front of the bed, while the Echinacea purpurea should be placed in the background. Plant 3 to 4 plants per square metre and maintain a distance of 40 to 60 cm between each plant.

Echinacea purpurea and E. purpurea 'Alba' in this duo harmonise well with Phlox paniculata 'David' with white flowers, offering an interesting visual contrast. Sedum 'Herbstfreude' with pink flowers extends the appeal of the bed in autumn. To add lightness to your composition, Miscanthus sinensis 'Gracillimus', a grass with fine foliage, is a good candidate. All of these plants have similar soil and exposure requirements, which facilitates their cohabitation and minimises maintenance.