Echinacea Secret Glow - Purple Coneflower

'Echinacea 'Secret Glow' is a long-flowering and particularly dazzling perennial with a very sunny golden yellow colour and a prickly pom-pom shape that evolves throughout blooming. It starts with a dense and bushy daisy-shaped flower with a green centre, which gradually opens up and swells like a cushion, finally revealing petals on the outer edge. Then the achenes (their seeds) take over to the delight of the birds that feast on them. This robust plant flowers throughout summer and welcomes autumn with its charming appearance and fresh and dried bouquets.

Originating from North America, where it has already naturally colonized numerous states, the Echinacea has been with us for many years. It spontaneously settles in wild spaces: vast meadows, forest edges, and roadsides and as a result, is content with any type of soil or climate, and displays robustness and hardiness that gardeners appreciate. However, it prefers deep, well-drained soils and will establish itself more easily (and therefore withstand drought) if initially placed in moist soil. It may take time to settle, but then shows resilience and longevity. It thrives in the sun or light shade. It requires almost no care, except for removing faded flowers as desired.

It is a herbaceous plant belonging to the Asteraceae family, with an upright and bushy habit. The deciduous leaves are medium green, hairy and fairly thick, lanceolate, longer and more numerous at the base, but alternate and sparse along the stems. These stems are long, sturdy, and bear large flower heads measuring 5 to 10 cm (2 to 4in) in diameter at their tops. The numerous crossbreedings have multiplied their characteristics with many colours and shapes available. They all consist of a central cone-shaped core, often brown and sometimes cylindrical, which can become very prominent. It is surrounded by long or short petals arranged in one or several rows, giving it the simple appearance of a large daisy or, that of a dishevelled pom-pom. The variations are limitless, and everyone will find their favourite among the cultivars that are now available. Their always vibrant hues are essential in flowerbeds or containers. They also enliven the garden thanks to the pollinators they attract.

'Secret Glow' is a gem of multicoloured ensembles. Particularly at home in yellow-orange flowerbeds, it shines alongside Dahlias, Grasses, and its cousins from the same genus (Harvest Moon and Tangerine Dream). Its height (60 cm (24in)) is tall enough to be in the background in small spaces and perfect for intermingling in larger gardens, punctuating the palette of summer flowers with bright spots.