Coneflower 'Papallo Semi-Double White' Echinacea 'Papallo Semi-double White' (Papallo Series) (d)
ABOUT
'Papallo Semi-Double White' is a compact, clump-forming perennial to 40cm tall with ovate, hairy leaves. Flowerheads of drooping white ray florets surrounding a creamy-yellow central cone are borne on sturdy, branching stems
About this plant
NamesFamily
Asteraceae.
Synonyms
Coneflower, White Coneflower.
Common names
Echinacea 'Papallo Semi-double White'
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
White
Height
2 feet 18 inches (60 cm)
Spread
1 foot 6 inches (45 cm)
Plant type
Herb
Hardiness zones
5
Native area
North America
Benefits
General Benefits- Attracts Pollinators: Echinacea is well-known for attracting bees and butterflies, which are vital for pollination and maintaining healthy ecosystems.
- Drought Tolerance: Once established, this variety of Echinacea is quite robust and can tolerate periods of dry weather, making it suitable for low-water gardens.
- Long Blooming: It offers an extended blooming period from mid-summer through fall, providing long-lasting color in the garden.
- Resistance to Deer and Rabbits: The plant is generally resistant to browsing by deer and rabbits, which helps to maintain its appearance and health.
- Low Maintenance: It requires minimal care once established, needing only occasional watering and deadheading to promote further blooming.
- Landscape Versatility: Suitable for a wide range of garden applications including borders, wildflower gardens, prairie gardens, and cottage gardens.
- Ease of Growth: Echinacea is relatively easy to grow and can be propagated by division, making it accessible to gardeners of varying levels of experience.
- Structural Interest: With its strong stems and upright habit, it adds structure and interest to garden beds even after the blooming period has ended.
- Seasonal Color: It provides a bright spot of color with its white flowers, which can complement many other plants in a mixed garden setting.
Medical Properties- Immune system support: Echinacea is commonly believed to stimulate the immune system and is often used with the intention of preventing or reducing the severity of colds and other infections.
- Anti-inflammatory effects: The herb may have anti-inflammatory properties, which can be helpful in reducing inflammation associated with a variety of conditions.
- Antioxidant properties: Echinacea contains compounds that may act as antioxidants, potentially helping to protect cells from damage by free radicals.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Garden Border Accent: Echinacea can serve as a striking visual accent in a border planting due to its height and striking white flowers, enhancing the aesthetic appeal of garden landscapes.
- Cut Flower Production: Echinacea is popular for use in cut flower arrangements; its long-lasting blooms and sturdy stems make it a good choice for floral design.
- Bird Attraction: After the blooms have spent, Echinacea seed heads can attract birds to the garden, particularly finches, who feed on the seeds.
- Decorative Dried Seed Heads: Harvested seed heads of Echinacea can be used in dried floral arrangements or as part of fall and winter decorations.
- Bee Garden Attraction: Echinacea is an excellent plant for a bee garden, where its flowers provide nectar and help support the local bee population.
- Educational Tool: In botanical gardens and educational programs, Echinacea can serve as an example of native plant species and their importance in ecosystem diversity.
- Garden Theme Complement: Echinacea fits well into specialized garden themes such as prairie gardens, cottage gardens, or white-themed gardens.
- Ecological Restoration: Echinacea can be used in prairie restoration projects as it is a native North American plant and contributes to habitat regeneration.
- Butterfly Gardening: The flowers of Echinacea are attractive to butterflies, making them a valuable addition to butterfly gardens.
- Photography Subject: Due to their striking appearance, Echinacea flowers are often used as subjects in garden photography, offering visual interest and natural beauty.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Purple Coneflower is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Purple Coneflower is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Health: Echinacea is widely recognized for its medicinal properties, particularly in boosting the immune system, hence it symbolizes good health and wellbeing.
- Strength and Resilience: The plant's ability to withstand harsh conditions and its sturdy nature reflect attributes of strength and resilience.
- Purity: The 'Papallo Semi-double White' variety, with its clear white petals, can be associated with purity and cleanliness.
- Healing: Given its use in traditional medicine to treat ailments, echinacea can represent healing and restoration.
- Beauty: Its attractive flowers make echinacea a symbol of beauty and grace in a garden setting.
WaterTo water Coneflower, provide a deep watering to encourage deep root growth, which makes the plant more drought-tolerant. In the absence of rainfall, water the plant thoroughly once a week, ensuring about one inch of water is delivered each time. Adjust the frequency based on weather conditions, watering more often during hot, dry periods and less during cool, moist periods. Overhead watering should be avoided to reduce the risk of foliar diseases; instead, water at the base of the plant. During the growing season, this may equate to around 1-2 gallons per week depending on the size of the plant and environmental conditions.
LightConeflower thrives in full sun, meaning it needs at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight each day. The best spot for this plant is in an area that receives unfiltered sunlight throughout the day. While it can tolerate some light shade, especially in hot climates, Coneflower will produce the most blooms and strongest growth when planted in full sun.
TemperatureConeflowers are quite hardy and can tolerate a wide range of temperatures, typically thriving in USDA zones 3 through 8. These plants can survive minimum temperatures down to -40 degrees Fahrenheit and are known for their ability to handle the heat well, making them suitable for many different climates. The ideal temperature range for Coneflower is between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit for optimal growth.
PruningPruning Coneflower is important to encourage bushier growth and more blooms. Deadhead spent flowers regularly to promote continuous flowering throughout the season. In late winter or early spring, cut back the entire plant to about 4 inches from the ground to prepare it for new growth. This also helps to maintain plant health by removing any dead or damaged stems.
CleaningAs needed
SoilConeflowers require well-draining soil enriched with organic matter. A mix of two parts garden soil, one part compost, and one part perlite or coarse sand can be ideal. The soil pH should be between 6.5 to 7.0 for optimum growth.
RepottingConeflowers, being perennials, do not typically need frequent repotting. They can be repotted every 3-4 years, or when you notice significant overcrowding or a decline in vigor.
Humidity & MistingConeflowers prefer a moderate humidity level but are quite adaptable to various conditions. They thrive in the average outdoor humidity and do not require specific adjustments.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Place in bright, indirect light and ensure pot has drainage.
Outdoor
Full sun, well-drained soil, and space plants 18 inches apart.
Hardiness zone
3-8 USDA
Life cycleThe Echinacea 'Papallo Semi-double White', commonly known as Coneflower, begins its life cycle when its seeds are sown into well-draining soil in spring or autumn. Germination occurs over a period of weeks, depending on temperature and moisture levels, with the emergence of seedlings showcasing the first true leaves characteristic of the Echinacea genus. These seedlings grow into juvenile plants, which develop a strong root system and a rosette of leaves in their first growing season. As the plants mature into their second year, they begin to produce sturdy, upright stems with rough, hairy leaves, and in the summer months, they bear distinctive flowers with white petals surrounding a raised, central cone. After pollination, typically by bees or butterflies, the central cones produce seeds that mature by autumn, which can be dispersed by wind or wildlife to propagate new plants. Finally, in the colder months, the Coneflower enters a dormancy stage, withdrawing energy into its roots to survive the winter and reemerge in the next growing season.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring-early summer
The most popular method of propagation for the Echinacea 'Papallo Semi-double White' is by seed. This method typically takes place in the late winter to early spring months. To propagate by seed, one should first collect or purchase high-quality seeds. Then, the seeds should be sown in well-draining soil at a shallow depth, approximately 1/4 inch deep (about 6 millimeters), and kept moist. The seeds usually germinate within 10-20 days when kept at temperatures around 65-70 degrees Fahrenheit (18-21 degrees Celsius). Once seedlings have emerged and grown sufficiently, they can be transplanted outdoors after the risk of frost has passed. This method is preferred for its relative simplicity and effectiveness in producing new, healthy plants.
