Echinacea purpurea 'Meringue' PP20537 CPBR3930 |
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Photo Courtesy of Walters Gardens, Inc.
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| | Series Name: CONE-FECTIONS™ Series
Common Name: Coneflower |
From the breeding work of Arie Blom of The Netherlands comes this fun new double white Echinacea with pom-pom flowers. White ray petals surround a creamy yellow pom-pom with an apple green center. As the flowers age, the pom-pom expands and turns a lighter yellow color.
Compared to a similar white pom-pom type Echinacea called 'Coconut Lime', 'Meringue' is a shorter with an upright habit. This cultivar is more floriferous than 'Coconut Lime' and the flowers are more white.
Arie's goal in hybridizing Echinacea was to develop dwarf, more floriferous cultivars with pom-pom flowers. The result was this unique new knee-high variety that blooms from mid through late summer. It was introduced by AB Cultivars.
This plant is the perfect size for growing in decorative containers, small courtyard gardens, or near the front of the flower border.
Praised for their cheerful flowers, coneflowers are a mainstay in today's garden. Be sure to leave some spent blooms on the plants in the fall because their seeds provide winter food for finches and other birds. The dried seed heads also provide architectural interest in the winter.
Intro Year: 2008
Breeder: Arie Blom
Introducer: AB Cultivars/Plants Nouveau
Origin: Native Cultivar
Characteristics:
Height:
18 Inches
Spread:
16-18 Inches
Flower Color:
White Shades
Foliage Color:
Green shades
Sun or Shade?:
Full sun (> 6 hrs. direct sun)
Part shade (4-6 hrs. direct sun)
Wet or dry?:
Low water needs
Average water needs
Want to see wings?:
Attracts butterflies
Attracts songbirds
Need critter resistant plants?:
Deer resistant
How fast should it grow?:
Medium
When should it bloom?:
Midsummer
Late summer
How's your soil?:
Poor Soil
Average Soil
Fertile Soil
Sweet or Sour Soil?:
Acidic Soil (pH < 7.0)
Neutral Soil (pH = 7.0)
Alkaline Soil (pH > 7.0)
What's your garden style?:
Container/Patio
Prairie
Cottage
Eclectic
Echinacea purpurea is a wildflower native to the eastern United States and is well-adapted to survive the hot, windy conditions typical of that region. If properly cared for, they will form attractive colonies and will live for many years.
Coneflowers like it sunny and hot. Though they will tolerate light shade, fewer flowers will be produced and the plants will be weakened. Light, loamy soils are best but coneflowers will grow in any well-drained soil. Once established, they are quite drought tolerant.
The word "echinacea" comes from the Greek word "echinos" meaning "hedgehog", referring to the flower's spiky central cone.