Overview
Echinacea purpurea 'Alba' is a clump-forming perennial in the genus Echinacea, part of the Asteraceae family, with deciduous foliage. It typically grows around 1.2 m tall and 0.5 m wide. Echinacea purpurea 'Alba' grows best in full sun, and tolerates sandy and loamy soils and neutral pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H7. Suggested uses include cottage and informal garden, patio and container plants, prairie planting, wildflower meadow, wildlife gardens, cut flowers and flower borders and beds. It is native to Illinois, Tennessee, Alabama, Connecticut, Louisiana, Maryland, Ohio and Virginia.
About
Echinacea purpurea, the eastern purple coneflower, purple coneflower, hedgehog coneflower, or Echinacea, is a North American species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae. It is native to parts of eastern North America and present to some extent in the wild in much of the eastern, southeastern and midwestern United States, as well as in the Canadian Province of Ontario.
Wikipedia contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0 — Echinacea purpurea
About the genus
Echinacea is a genus of herbaceous flowering plants in the daisy family. It has ten species, which are commonly called coneflowers. They are native only in eastern and central North America, where they grow in wet to dry prairies and open wooded areas.
Wikipedia contributors, "Echinacea", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Echinacea
Growing conditions
Best soil and position for Echinacea
- Sunlight
- Full sun
- Soil type
- Sandy, Loamy
- Soil pH
- Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Well-drained, Moist but well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H7
Plant details
Echinacea purpurea 'Alba' size, habit and characteristics
- Plant type
- Perennial
- Habit
- Clump-forming
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Height
- 1.2 m
- Spread
- 0.5 m
- Suggested uses
- Cottage and informal garden, Patio and container plants, Prairie planting, Wildflower meadow, Wildlife gardens, Cut flowers, Flower borders and beds
- Native to
- Illinois, Tennessee, Alabama, Connecticut, Louisiana, Maryland, Ohio, Virginia
Care notes
Pruning and caring for Echinacea purpurea 'Alba'
- Propagation
- Seed, Division
- Pest resistance
- Generally pest-free
- Disease resistance
- Generally disease-free
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best place to plant Echinacea purpurea 'Alba'?
Echinacea purpurea 'Alba' prefers full sun. It suits sheltered positions.
What soil does Echinacea purpurea 'Alba' need?
Echinacea purpurea 'Alba' grows best in sandy and loamy soil. It prefers neutral soil. Aim for soil that stays well-drained to moist but well-drained.
How big does Echinacea purpurea 'Alba' grow?
Echinacea purpurea 'Alba' reaches a height of 1.2 m and a spread of 0.5 m.
Is Echinacea purpurea 'Alba' hardy in the UK?
Echinacea purpurea 'Alba' has an RHS hardiness rating of H7, meaning it is fully hardy throughout the UK, tolerating temperatures below -20°C.
How do I propagate Echinacea purpurea 'Alba'?
Seed, Division.
More in the Echinacea genus
- Echinacea 'Bright Star'Coneflower
- Echinacea 'White Swan'Coneflower
- Echinacea pallida 'Hula Dancer'Pale Purple Coneflower
- Echinacea purp. 'Green Jewel'
- Echinacea purp. 'Magnus Superior'Coneflower
- Echinacea purp. 'Magnus'Coneflower
- Echinacea purp. 'Primadonna Deep Pink'Coneflower
- Echinacea purpurea dark-stemmedPurple Coneflower
