Echinacea purpurea 'The King' (purple coneflower 'The King') — Perennial herbaceous

Overview

Echinacea purpurea 'The King' is a perennial herbaceous in the genus Echinacea, part of the Asteraceae family. It typically grows around 1.2 m tall and 0.5 m wide. Echinacea purpurea 'The King' grows best in full sun, and tolerates sandy and loamy soils. Its UK hardiness is rated H7. Suggested uses include borders, cut flowers and pollinator gardens. It is native to Illinois, Tennessee, Alabama, Connecticut, Louisiana, Maryland, Ohio and Virginia.

About

Echinacea purpurea 'The King' is a perennial herbaceous coneflower reaching about 1.2 m, valued for its long flowering season from July to October. It favours full sun and settles into sandy or loamy, well-drained soils. Plants mature to roughly 0.5 m across, making it a strong upright presence at the back of a border. It suits cutting and pollinator planting as well as mixed perennial beds.

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

In the garden

Echinacea purpurea 'The King' is a perennial herbaceous member of the Asteraceae that originates from parts of eastern North America, including Illinois, Tennessee, Alabama, Connecticut, Louisiana, Maryland, Ohio and Virginia. As a named selection of purple coneflower it carries the species' garden habit but is offered as the cultivar 'The King'. Grow it in a sunny, sheltered spot: the plant requires full sun and prefers sandy or loamy soils that are well-drained or moist but remain free-draining. Expect plants to reach approximately 1.2 m tall with a spread near 0.5 m. In UK hardiness terms it is H7 (fully hardy); it is also within USDA zones 3–10. Use Echinacea purpurea 'The King' in mixed borders where height and late-summer to autumn colour are needed, in pollinator gardens, or as a cut-flower source. Flowering runs from July to October, providing several months of presence through summer and into autumn and fitting well where persistent summer structure is wanted.

Growing conditions

Best soil and position for Echinacea

Sunlight: Full sun
Soil type: Sandy, Loamy
Soil moisture: Well-drained, Moist but well-drained
Exposure: Full sun
UK hardiness: H7

Plant details

Echinacea purpurea 'The King' size, habit and characteristics

Plant type: Perennial herbaceous
Height: 1.2 m
Spread: 0.5 m
Suggested uses: Borders, Cut flowers, Pollinator gardens
Native to: Illinois, Tennessee, Alabama, Connecticut, Louisiana, Maryland, Ohio, Virginia

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Echinacea purpurea 'The King'

Cultivation: Prefers well-drained soil; drought tolerant once established; avoid overwatering
Pruning: Deadhead spent flowers to encourage reblooming; cut back in late fall or early spring
Propagation: Seed, Division