Photos thanks to Walters Gardens, Inc.

1998 Perennial Plant of the Year®

Echinacea purpurea ‘Magnus’ was chosen the Perennial Plant of the Year® for 1998 by the Perennial Plant Asscociation. Echinacea purpurea ‘Magnus’ is an outstanding perennial, a bold, sun-loving plant with a long midsummer bloom that is easy to grow.

Purple coneflower is a member of the Asteraceae (Compositae) or sunflower family. In the 1950’s taxonomists separated it from the genus Rudbeckia. Echinacea purpurea, a native to the midwestern plains of North America, is an upright-growing clump-former with hairy, coarsely-toothed basal leaves up to 6 inches long. Flowers are borne in heads set on stalks up to 4 feet tall. The flower head is made up of a raised central cone of bronze disk flowers surrounded by highly colored, downward curving ray flowers. Color in this species ranges from pink to white to carmine.

Echinacea ‘Magnus’ is easy to grow and has a long bloom season; plants often remain in bloom for up to 6 weeks. Bare-root or containerized plants should be planted in partial to full sun. Magnus purple coneflower is well adapted to dry sites and good drainage in the winter is recommended.

Purple coneflower grows well in soils with organic matter mixed in the top 6-8 inches at planting time. Bare-root plants or divisions should be planted so the emerging buds are just below the soil surface. Purple coneflower is slow to start in the spring, but grows rapidly with the onset of hot summer weather. ‘Magnus’ is bothered by few insect pests. Purple coneflower is frequented by butterflies and birds.

Purple coneflower can be used in native gardens or in more formal settings; as a single specimen plant, or massed towards the back of the perennial border. ‘Magnus’ is very effective in combination with the delicate blues of Perovskia, or complementing the upright habit of Liatris or ornamental grasses such as Calamagrostis x acutiflora ‘Stricta’. Other commonly available cultivars of Echinacea include: ‘Bravado’ (large, rosy-red flowers); ‘White Swan’ (nearly white, brown central cone); ‘White Lustre’ (off-white, reflexed petals); ‘Robert Bloom’ (redpurple); ‘Bright Star’ (rose-pink, drooping petals); and ‘Springbrook Crimson Star’ (crimson flowers, bronzy foliage).

Photos thanks to Midwest Groundcovers.

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PLANT DATA

Hardiness
USDA Zones 3 to 8

Light
Full sun preferred

Size
24-48 inches tall

Soil
Well-drained garden soil. Drought-tolerant.