Echinacea purpurea SunSeekers Red - Purple coneflower

Echinacea SunSeekers 'Red' is a very attractive variety, with bright red flowers and a large, orangish-brown central cone. Its petals are slightly drooping and its sturdy stems are brown, on a clump of dark green foliage. Compact and floriferous, this perennial plant is excellent in borders, at the front of flower beds, in pots, and as a cut flower. It easily pairs with all other plants in the garden or on the terrace and attracts many pollinating insects.

Echinacea SunSeekers 'Red' is a recent horticultural hybrid. This cultivar is part of the remarkable 'SunSeekers' series, which stands out from other Echinaceas with their unique shapes and colours that do not fade over time. SunSeekers also have exceptional vigour, with these hybrids producing masses of flowers carried by short stems, above narrow dark green leaves. This 'Red' variety forms a dense, compact clump that reaches a height of 50 to 60cm and a width of 40cm. The plant is very resilient. The opposite, lanceolate-shaped leaves are dark green and covered in rough hairs. The abundant flowering occurs from June to September and is heavily visited by butterflies. The branched stems terminate in solitary head-like inflorescences with a prominent, bristly, orangish-brown central disk. It is surrounded by slightly toothed petals or ligules. The fruit is an achene that releases seeds sought after by birds. This plant anchors firmly and deeply in the soil with its highly developed root system.

Echinacea SunSeekers 'Red' is easy to grow in regular soil. Very floriferous, this plant is ideal for both beginner gardeners and enthusiasts of endless and colourful blooms. Its flowers can be used fresh or dried in bouquets. Plant it at the edge of a flower bed with flowers of different shapes. Consider sages, carnations, asters, as well as daylilies. Add clumps of annuals like Nigellas and grasses like Stipas or Pennisetums.

A medicinal plant: In homeopathy, Echinacea 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", referring to the appearance of the flower's centre.