Echinacea purpurea Butterfly Kisses - Purple Coneflower

Echinacea purpurea 'Butterfly Kisses' is a very recent variety of purple coneflower that combines floribundity, robustness, and excellent durability. Not very tall, well-branched from the base, the plant bears without weakening very double pompom-like flowers dominated by pink. They bloom all summer and even more, in a fragrance that attracts butterflies. It is also a very resistant perennial plant that adapts to difficult conditions, occasionally tolerating intense heat, humidity, and drought. Both compact and floriferous, this variety works wonders in small gardens, along borders, and in pretty pots on the terrace. Also, create fragrant bouquets with its superb flowers!

Originally from the western United States, from Georgia to Michigan, passing through Oklahoma and Ohio, the purple coneflower is a perennial with a strong character, which does not resemble anything known but which confidently colonizes rocky meadows, savannahs, light undergrowth, and roadside edges in its natural habitat. It is the origin of many improved varieties cultivated in our gardens. 'Butterfly Kisses', introduced in 2012, is part of a series called 'CONE-FECTIONS', created by Arie Blom in the Netherlands.

'Butterfly Kisses' has a dense and well-branched tufted habit, reaching 35-45cm (14-18in) in height and 45-50cm (18-20in) in width. This plant does not weaken or collapse under the weight of its flowers, demonstrating good resistance to bad weather. The vegetation of this perennial starts in spring. The opposite, lanceolate, and green leaves are covered in rough hairs. The flowering period takes place from July to September, accompanying all the summer flowers; it is highly visited by butterflies. The ramified stems, olive-green and rather dark, are terminated by solitary inflorescences with a diameter of 7cm (3in), with a large and prominent central disk, covered in a deep pink on the periphery, gradually revealing tiny orange flowers turning bronze and brown. This central cone is surrounded by a collar of peripheral ligules, fresh and tender pink, almost horizontal. The fruit is an achene releasing seeds that birds are fond of. This plant anchors itself firmly and deeply in the soil, with the help of its highly developed root system. Once well established, it is quite water-efficient.

The 'Butterfly Kisses' coneflower is easy to fit anywhere, even in limited space. Its wonderful pink flowering will find its place in country-style flowerbeds, blooming meadows, or cottage gardens. This sturdy perennial blends well with yarrows, small-sized daisies ('Engelina', 'Princesse d'argent'), thistles like Echinops or Eryngium. Lighten the scene by mixing it with damask nigellas, perennial salvias, some ornamental grasses like Stipa tenuifolia, Muhlenbergia capillaris, Pennisetum orientale 'Karley Rose'... Its association with autumn asters is fantastic. Create a large flowerpot by combining it with heat-resistant lobelias from the Hot series or star-shaped blue Laurentia or Isotoma. Stunning in flowerbeds, the beautiful flowers of the purple coneflower 'Butterfly Kisses' are also very beautiful in fresh or dried flower bouquets.

Properties: In homeopathy, its root is used to fight colds and strengthen the immune system. These properties were already used by Native Americans. The name Echinacea comes from the Greek echinos, which means "hairy or like a hedgehog," and acea, meaning "having the shape of," alluding to the hearts of the flowers. Purpurea means "purple".