Echinacea Tiki Torch - Purple Coneflower

Echinacea Tiki Torch is a recent, award-winning cultivar that has large heads measuring 11 to 12 cm (4 to 5in) in diameter with 'petals' in an intense and bright pumpkin orange shade, surrounding a burning red incandescent heart. This strong and reliable perennial provides extended flowering from July to early September above vigorous vegetation. It will make a good impression as a background plant in sunny borders and provide long-lasting flowers for bouquets. It adapts to difficult conditions, occasionally tolerating intense heat, humidity, and drought. It can even grow in poor soils.

Derived from the cross-breeding of E. purpurea 'Ruby Giant' x E. paradoxa, this introduction is credited to "Terra Nova Nurseries," a specialized nursery located in Oregon. This plant belongs to the Asteraceae family and descends from two species native to North American meadows. This perennial combines the qualities of strength and vigour from its two parents while offering a unique combination of colours, and abundant flowering on sturdy vegetation. It has a dense, tufted habit, reaching a height of 80 cm (32in) with a width of 50 cm (20in). This plant does not weaken or collapse, demonstrating excellent stem strength, slightly taller than other varieties. The deciduous, opposite, lanceolate, medium green leaves are covered in rough hairs. The fragrant flowering period lasts from July until the end of summer, coinciding with inulas, asters, and ornamental tobacco plants. It attracts butterflies. The branches are green-reddish, and each terminate in a solitary large head measuring 11 cm (4in) in diameter. The prominent conical disc resembles an incandescent pompom formed by tiny florets, burnt red with a darker centre, and thin, reflexed 'petals' in pumpkin orange. The fruit is an achene that releases seeds which birds enjoy. This plant firmly and deeply anchors itself in the soil with its well-developed root system.

One might think, "Ah, yet another novelty with orange flowers," but don't overlook its long flowering period and habit, which is better suited to the background of a border than to the edges, unlike E. 'Art's Pride,' which does not tolerate competition well. Echinacea 'Tiki Torch' offers a joyful flowering display, pleasant on slightly misty autumn days. It can be used in mixed borders with red or blue flowers, ranging from lavender-blue to violet and mauve, for a magnificent contrast. Combine it with inulas, aster cordifolius or laevis, yellow or orange achilleas, daisies, echinops, or paniculate phlox, and lighten the scene by intermingling some ornamental grasses such as Stipa tenuifolia or Muhlenbergia capillaris... Splendid in borders, the surprising flower of Echinacea Tiki Torch is also beautiful in fresh or dried flower arrangements.

Properties: In homoeopathy, its root is used to combat colds and strengthen the immune system. These properties were first utilized by Native Americans. The name Echinacea comes from the Greek echinos, which means "hedgehog-like or prickly," and acea, meaning "having the shape of," alluding to the flower heads. Purpurea means "purple."