Coneflower 'Green Envy' Echinacea 'Green Envy' (PBR)
ABOUT
'Green Envy' is a herbaceous perennial with long-lasting flowers that have lime-green reflexed petals that gradually develop a pink flush along their length from the base. As it matures, the central cone gradually changes colour turning from shades of green to purple
About this plant
- Names
Family
Asteraceae.
Synonyms
Green Envy Coneflower, Green Envy Echinacea.
Common names
Echinacea purpurea 'Green Envy'.
- Characteristics
Life cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Mixed
Height
2-3 feet (60-91 cm)
Spread
1-2 feet (30-60 cm)
Plant type
Herb
Hardiness zones
4
Native area
North America
Benefits
- General Benefits
- Attracts Pollinators: Echinacea 'Green Envy' is known to attract bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects, which can help pollinate your garden.
- Drought Tolerance: Once established, it requires minimal watering, making it suitable for xeriscaping or areas with water restrictions.
- Easy to Grow: It is generally easy to care for and can thrive in a variety of soil types, requiring little maintenance.
- Long Blooming: Offers a long flowering season, often from mid-summer to early fall, providing vibrant color for an extended period.
- Deer Resistance: Considered deer-resistant, making it an ideal choice for gardens that are prone to deer visits.
- Cut Flowers: The blooms make for striking cut flowers, with long stems and unique coloration that are perfect for arrangements.
- Landscape Design: Its unique green and pink petals add an unusual color contrast and aesthetic appeal to garden beds and borders.
- Winter Interest: Seed heads can be left on the plant during winter to add texture and interest to the garden landscape.
- Medical Properties
- Immune system booster: Echinacea is widely known for its potential to stimulate the immune system.
- Common cold and flu symptom reduction: It is commonly used to reduce the severity and duration of cold and flu symptoms.
- Anti-inflammatory properties: Echinacea exhibits anti-inflammatory effects which may be beneficial in reducing symptoms associated with various inflammatory conditions.
- Antioxidant properties: Echinacea contains compounds with antioxidant properties, which help protect cells from damage caused by free radicals.
- Wound and skin healing: It has been traditionally used to promote wound healing and treat skin conditions due to its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties.
- Air-purifying Qualities
This plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
- Other Uses
- Floral arrangements: Echinacea 'Green Envy' is popular for its unique green and pink petals, adding a distinctive touch to bouquets and table centerpieces.
- Garden photography: The striking appearance of this Echinacea variety makes it a favorite subject for photographers looking to capture the beauty of a garden.
- Butterfly attraction: Echinacea 'Green Envy' can be used to attract butterflies, providing a natural way to pollinate your garden and support local ecosystems.
- Natural dye: The vibrant petals of Echinacea 'Green Envy' can be used to create natural dyes for textiles, offering an eco-friendly alternative to synthetic dyes.
- Artistic inspiration: Artists may use Echinacea 'Green Envy' as a muse due to its unique coloration and structure, inspiring paintings, drawings, or sculptures.
- Education and research: Echinacea 'Green Envy' can serve as a subject for horticultural studies and workshops, teaching about plant breeding and hybridization.
- Garden theming: This plant can be used as part of a color-themed garden, such as a green and pink space, adding visual harmony and interest.
- Erosion control: When planted en masse, Echinacea 'Green Envy' can help prevent soil erosion by stabilizing the ground with its root system.
- Bird feeding: As the flowers fade and seeds develop, Echinacea 'Green Envy' provides a food source for birds, particularly finches, during the fall and winter months.
- Seasonal festivals: Echinacea 'Green Envy' can play a role in seasonal festivals or garden shows, particularly those celebrating late summer blooms.
Interesting Facts
- Feng Shui
Coneflower is not used in Feng Shui practice.
- Zodiac Sign Compitability
Coneflower is not used in astrology practice.
- Plant Symbolism
- Healing and Health: Echinacea is widely recognized for its medicinal properties, often used to boost the immune system and ward off colds and flu. The 'Green Envy' variant carries the symbol of well-being.
- Strength and Stamina: Given Echinacea's association with health, it also symbolizes endurance and strength, reflecting the plant's ability to survive and thrive in diverse environments.
- Resourcefulness: Echinacea plants are hardy and adaptable, which makes them a symbol of resourcefulness and the ability to withstand challenging conditions.
- Water
Water the Coneflower 'Green Envy' deeply but infrequently to encourage strong root growth. Generally, this should be around 1 inch of water per week, including rainfall, for well-established plants. During hot, dry periods, you might need to water twice a week, ensuring that the soil is moist but not soggy. Overwatering or allowing the plant to sit in wet soil can lead to root rot. It is best to water early in the day or in the evening to reduce evaporation and to give the foliage time to dry out, as wet foliage overnight can lead to fungal diseases.
- Light
Coneflower 'Green Envy' thrives in full sun, which means it requires at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight per day. These conditions help the plant produce the most vigorous blooms. While it can tolerate some partial shade, too little light can lead to weak stems and fewer flowers. Place the plant in a location where it will receive ample sunlight throughout the day for the best growth and flower production.
- Temperature
Coneflower 'Green Envy' is hardy and can tolerate some temperature fluctuations. It typically grows well in temperatures ranging from 65°F to 85°F, which is its ideal range. It can survive winter temperatures down to around -30°F, making it suitable for USDA Hardiness Zones 3 through 8. Extended temperatures above 90°F may stress the plant, so some shade during the hottest part of the day can be beneficial in warmer climates.
- Pruning
Prune Coneflower 'Green Envy' to remove spent flowers and encourage further blooming throughout the summer. Deadheading, the process of cutting off the faded flowers, can be done regularly. In early spring, cut back any dead or damaged stems from the previous season to about 4 inches above the ground to make room for new growth. Pruning not only improves the plant's appearance but also helps prevent the spread of diseases.
- Cleaning
As needed
- Soil
Coneflower 'Green Envy' thrives in well-draining soil with a pH range of 6.0 to 8.0. A mix of garden soil, compost, and a bit of sand or perlite to improve drainage works well. Regular application of organic matter can enhance soil fertility.
- Repotting
Coneflower 'Green Envy' is a perennial that generally does not require frequent repotting. It should be repotted or divided every 3-4 years to rejuvenate the plant and prevent overcrowding.
- Humidity & Misting
Coneflower 'Green Envy' is tolerant of a wide range of humidity levels and does not require specific humidity conditions. It thrives in outdoor settings where the humidity is naturally provided by the environment.
- Suitable locations
Indoor
Use bright light, well-draining soil, minimal indoor care needed.
Outdoor
Full sun, well-draining soil, mulch, water when dry.
Hardiness zone
3-8 USDA
- Life cycle
The coneflower 'Green Envy' begins its life cycle as a dormant seed, typically requiring a period of cold stratification to break dormancy and germinate. After stratification, when temperatures warm in spring, the seeds germinate and the plant emerges as a seedling, establishing a small rosette of leaves. As the plant grows, it develops a strong root system and vegetative structures throughout spring and early summer. By mid to late summer, 'Green Envy' reaches maturity and produces distinctive green and pink flowers that attract pollinators; this flowering stage can last until the first frosts. After pollination, seeds develop and are either dispersed by wind or fall to the ground near the parent plant. As temperatures drop in the fall, the plant enters dormancy, with some foliage dying back, and the cycle prepares to repeat the following spring.
- Propogation
Propogation time
Spring-Summer
Propogation: Echinacea 'Green Envy', commonly known as the Green Envy Coneflower, is typically propagated by seed or division. However, the most popular method of propagation for this cultivar is division since it maintains the characteristics of the parent plant, which is especially important for patented varieties like 'Green Envy'. This process is ideally done in early spring or fall. To divide, carefully dig up the clump of the plant, preserving as much of the root system as possible. Then, using a sharp spade or knife, cut the clump into smaller sections, each with several shoots and a portion of the root system. Replant the new divisions promptly, spacing them about 18 to 24 inches (approximately 45 to 60 centimeters) apart to allow ample room for growth. Water the new plantings thoroughly to help establish them.