Content
Echinacea purpurea is a beautiful perennial plant of the Asteraceae genus. Currently, there are many varieties of flowering crops that can become a bright decoration of any landscape formation. Planting and caring for echinacea in open ground is not difficult even for novice gardeners.
Echinacea buds begin to bloom at the tops of the shoots, then flowering moves to the stepsons, which is why the bush looks like a huge bouquet
When to plant echinacea in open ground
Agrotechnicians recommend planting echinacea in open ground from May to September. When planning autumn work, it is important to take into account that a young plant needs at least a month to take root in a new place before the onset of cold weather.
How to plant echinacea in open ground
In one area, a purple coneflower bush, if planted correctly, can grow for five years or more.For this reason, you should choose the garden area that is most suitable for ornamental crops and prepare the land in the best possible way.
Where to plant echinacea
The most comfortable place for Echinacea purpurea is a well-lit area. Also, with proper care, it takes root well in semi-shaded areas. If there is a pond in the garden, then planting Echinacea purpurea near the water is suitable.
Soil preparation
The flowering crop is demanding on the composition and structure of the soil when planting. It is advisable to grow Echinacea purpurea in soil that has the following characteristics:
- high fertility;
- good water permeability;
- neutral or slightly alkaline pH level.
Sandy soil or wet, heavy soil are not suitable for planting ornamental crops. In the first case, the problem can be solved by adding a fertile mixture to the hole; in the second, making a drainage layer. Echinacea does not bloom well in acidic areas.
To alkalize, wood ash, chalk or dolomite flour are added to the ground before planting.
Planting scheme
Gardeners practice growing echinacea from seeds in open ground when there is a large amount of planting material. In this case, it is better to plan sowing before winter. When planting in autumn, Echinacea seeds are buried 2 cm into previously prepared grooves.
If purchased material is used, it is advisable to organize sowing in open ground in the spring, when the threat of frost on the soil has passed.In the warm season, the seeds of Echinacea purpurea are planted in the ground to a depth of 1 cm and lightly sprinkled with soil.
When planting on a site, leave a distance of 40-50 cm between specimens. If this condition is met, the emerging bushes will not shade neighboring ones.
Warning! In the first year after planting, Echinacea purpurea forms a rosette with leaves; flowering should be expected only in the next summer season.
Creating the most comfortable conditions during planting is necessary to save time on caring for Echinacea purpurea in the future.
Caring for Echinacea in open ground
Echinacea, when grown in open ground, does not require care. But for the good condition of the plantings and abundant flowering, it is necessary to follow the recommendations of agricultural technicians to create favorable conditions.
Watering Echinacea
Adult echinaceas are undemanding to watering and drought-resistant even with minimal care. Periodic moistening of the soil in the area with flowers is organized only in extremely hot weather. However, young purple coneflowers should be watered quite often in the first year after planting. At this time, intensive formation of the root system occurs, and the lack of water adversely affects their condition even with otherwise good care.
Top dressing
Newly planted purple coneflower does not need feeding. Fertilizers are applied to the soil only when caring for the next growing season. Decorative crops are fed twice a year - in early spring and mid-summer. In March-April and at the end of June, it is better to fertilize Echinacea with organic matter, for example, compost. Another option for feeding Echinacea purpurea is adding granular manure to the soil.A flower bush requires a handful of nutritious lumps.
Preparing for winter
The purple type of echinacea is included in the category of frost-resistant crops. As a rule, it does not require additional protection for wintering. If very cold weather with minimal snow is forecast, then additional care should be taken before frost sets in:
- At the end of October, Echinacea shoots are pruned.
- The root collar of the plant is mulched with compost and covered with fallen leaves.
- The plantings are covered with coniferous branches.
With the arrival of spring, dry shoots of Echinacea purpurea are cut off almost at the root. With the beginning of the growing season they are formed anew.
In the southern regions, with mild weather, Echinacea purpurea can remain green all winter with good care, without stopping blooming
How to propagate echinacea
Propagating Echinacea purpurea is an activity that does not require special skills. To obtain new plants, you can use any of the three methods.
Cuttings
A simple and productive way to propagate purple coneflower is by root cuttings. The agrotechnical procedure is carried out in the spring.
- Cut off the stem of the plant.
- Divide the shoot into 3-4 parts, leaving two leaves on each.
- Treat the ends of the fragments with a fungicide solution and a growth stimulating agent.
- Place the cuttings in a container filled with wet sand.
The appearance of new leaves with proper planting and care indicates that the sprout has taken root. After 1.5-2 months, young shoots of Echinacea can be planted in a permanent place.
Division
A common method of propagating Echinacea purpurea is by dividing the bush. Plants that are 3-5 years old are suitable for its use. In younger specimens, the roots are not sufficiently formed, and in those whose age is over six years, the central underground part of the bush begins to gradually die off, even with good care.
The division procedure is carried out before the leaves appear, at the end of March - at the beginning of April. The process includes a number of sequential operations.
- The Echinacea bush is divided with a shovel with a sharpened edge of the blade.
- Sprinkle the cut areas with wood ash or powdered coal for 30 minutes.
- For 15-20 minutes, sections of purple echinacea are kept in a fungicide solution.
- Echinacea roots are treated with a biostimulant.
The newly obtained bushes have time to adapt to the new place before the arrival of hot days.
Propagation of Echinacea purpurea requires full compliance with procedures and care, as otherwise the plant will not take root.
Seeds
When propagating Echinacea purpurea using seeds, two methods are used: growing seedlings and sowing in open ground. The second option is suitable for cultivation in regions with a subtropical climate. Seeds for seedlings can be sown in all regions of the country (except for the polar regions).
Preparation of planting material includes stratification. By softening the hard coating of Echinacea seeds, you can get quick shoots. Sowing of seedlings is planned for February-March. Sprouts appear 15-25 days after planting. At the stage of 2-3 true leaves, the plants are dived into another container or into a greenhouse. With the arrival of stable heat, the bushes are transferred to open ground.
Diseases and pests
This type of Echinacea is resistant to diseases that affect other ornamental crops. In rare cases, the condition of the bushes is affected by unfavorable weather factors and improper care.
Fungal diseases
In hot, humid summers, Echinacea can suffer from fungal infections (rot, powdery mildew). In this case, you should stop watering and thin out the plants to ensure good ventilation and access to sunlight.
In advanced forms of the disease, the flower garden is treated with a solution of Bordeaux mixture or a fungicidal composition
Viral diseases
When Echinacea purpurea is infected with a virus, leaves turn yellow and fall off, as well as deformation of peduncles. If the first signs are detected, diseased specimens should be dug up and destroyed, and the soil on the site should be disinfected by filling it with a solution of potassium permanganate.
A viral infection of plants is considered incurable even with good care, and therefore affected Echinacea specimens must be eliminated
Pests
Insects rarely damage Echinacea purpurea. But sometimes a colony of arthropods settles on it. The main pests of ornamental crops are:
- aphid;
Aphids pose a great threat to green shoots and leaves, as they suck out plant juices
- slobbering pennies;
Plants are harmed by the larvae of the slobbering frog and its adult forms, leading to tissue death
- garden bug;
Most types of garden bugs cause significant damage to ornamental and berry crops
- slugs
When slugs are found, they are collected manually; a serious obstacle for gastropods is scattered nut shells
If the spread of harmful insects is insignificant, the bushes are irrigated with an aqueous solution of laundry soap, an infusion of onion peels, a decoction of wormwood, and tansy. To destroy a large colony, insecticidal preparations are used.
Echinacea in the garden in the landscape
Echinacea purpurea, if chosen well, can become a real decoration of the garden area.
The most common option for placing Echinacea flowers is large clumps in mixed plantings
Multi-tiered bright purple bushes of echinacea go well with ornamental cereals:
- fescue (paniculata and gray);
- meadow foxtail;
- winding meadow;
- miscanthus;
- pearl barley;
- acute flowering reed grass.
Massive bushes of purple Echinacea form a contrasting combination with other types of fragile ornamental grasses
When forming a mixborder as companions to Echinacea purpurea, crops are selected so that they bloom consistently throughout the warm season.
The flowering plant Echinacea is a honey plant; it attracts many pollinating insects to the garden area.
A spectacular composition is created by the purple corollas of the plant with purple spike-shaped inflorescences of loosestrife and liatris.
The bright color of Echinacea purpurea will be supported by crimson sedum and burgundy sedum.
When creating a flower garden in the “wild garden” style, the following is used as a complement to echinacea:
- yarrow;
- monarda;
- catnip;
- feverweed.
In August-September, luxurious chrysanthemums, asters, and phlox bloom. By successfully selecting a combination of plants in color and size, you can create a unique landscape formation.
A huge number of Echinacea varieties allows you to choose the right design option for any landscape.
Conclusion
Planting and caring for echinacea in open ground is a simple process in terms of agricultural technology. Large decorative flowers can become a bright element of any landscape formation throughout the summer period. A bouquet of purple echinacea is nice to give as a gift or to decorate the interior of an apartment.
