Echinacea purpurea Secret Passion - Purple Coneflower

Echinacea purpurea 'Secret Passion' is a dwarf variety of Echinacea. It is a floriferous perennial with a compact habit and vigorous growth. The bright pink pompom-like heads rest on a crown of slightly lighter ligules, and this particularly stunning flowering occurs from July to September. These intense colours do not fade, whether in the sun in borders or in dried or fresh bouquets. It is also a very resistant plant that adapts to difficult conditions, tolerating intense heat, humidity, and drought.

Echinacea purpurea is a hardy perennial belonging to the aster family. It is native to the western United States. 'Secret Passion' is a horticultural creation derived from this species. It forms a dense and sturdy clump, reaching 60cm (24in) in height and 40cm (16in) in width. The stems are strong and hold up well, so the plant does not droop during the growing season. The opposite, lanceolate, green leaves are covered in bristly hairs. The fragrant flowering takes place from July to the end of summer, accompanying the flowering of asters and ornamental tobacco plants. It is highly attractive to butterflies. The reddish-green, branched flower stalks terminate in a large solitary head measuring 8cm (3in) in diameter, with a prominent disc resembling a tiny floret pompom ranging in colour from pink flamingo to pinkish brown at the centre. The pale pink ligules are slightly trailing around the heart. Birds are fond of the seeds that follow the flowering. This plant firmly and deeply anchors itself in the soil with its highly developed root system.

Echinacea 'Secret Passion' offers a very colourful flowering, pleasant to witness on slightly misty autumn days. It is used in border plantings alongside daisies, echinops, or phlox, for example. Lighten up the scene by incorporating some ornamental grasses such as Stipa tenuifolia or Muhlenbergia capillaris. Its beautiful colours are also splendid in bouquets.