Purple coneflower 'Fragrant Angel' Echinacea purpurea 'Fragrant Angel' (PBR)

Water

Coneflowers, including 'Fragrant Angel' Echinacea, should be watered deeply and infrequently to encourage deep rooting, approximately 1 inch of water weekly, including rainfall. It’s best to water early in the morning at the base of the plant to allow foliage to dry and prevent disease. During the first growing season, a weekly watering schedule is crucial to establish the plant. Once established, coneflowers can tolerate some drought and will only need additional water during prolonged dry spells. Adjustments in watering should be made for very sandy soils or during exceptionally hot or dry weather, increasing it to 1.5 inches.

Light

Coneflowers such as 'Fragrant Angel' thrive in full sun, which means they require at least six hours of direct sunlight each day. They perform best when planted in a location that provides unfiltered sunlight for the majority of the day. Too little light can result in leggy plants and fewer blooms.

Temperature

Coneflowers such as 'Fragrant Angel' prefer warm temperatures and are hardy in zones 3 through 8. They can endure winter temperatures as low as -40 degrees Fahrenheit and summer highs up to 90 degrees Fahrenheit, although they flourish in the 65 to 70-degree range. Always ensure the plant is well-mulched to protect its root system in extreme temperatures.

Pruning

Pruning 'Fragrant Angel' coneflowers is important to remove spent flowers, encourage reblooming and maintain a tidy appearance. Deadheading the faded flowers throughout the blooming season can promote additional blooms. Pruning back the plants to the ground after the first hard frost in late autumn will help to manage the plant’s size and remove any dying or diseased foliage.

Cleaning

As needed

Soil

Coneflower 'Fragrant Angel' prefers well-draining soil enriched with organic matter, such as compost or aged manure. The ideal soil pH for this plant is between 6.0 and 8.0. A mix containing garden soil, peat moss, and perlite or sand in equal parts would make an excellent potting medium for healthy growth.

Repotting

Coneflower 'Fragrant Angel' generally does not require frequent repotting and can thrive in the same pot for several years. Repotting can be done every 3-4 years or when you notice that the plant has outgrown its current container.

Humidity & Misting

Coneflower 'Fragrant Angel' is tolerant of a wide range of humidity levels and does not have specific humidity requirements. It can thrive in the average humidity found in most outdoor garden settings without any special care.

Suitable locations

• Indoor

  Place in bright, indirect light; water when soil feels dry.

• Outdoor

  Full sun, well-drained soil, moderate watering, mulch base.

• Hardiness zone

  3-8 USDA

Life cycle

Echinacea purpurea 'Fragrant Angel', commonly known as the Purple Coneflower, begins its life cycle when seeds are sown in either late fall or early spring, germinating in warm soil. Once the seedlings have emerged and true leaves have developed, the plant enters a vegetative growth phase where foliage expands, and a strong root system develops. As the plant matures, typically in its second year, it begins the flowering stage in early to mid-summer, showcasing large, fragrant, white flowers with an orange to yellow central cone. After pollination, often aided by bees, birds, and butterflies, the flowers produce seeds that will form in the center cone as the petals fade. In autumn, the plant can be left with seed heads intact to self-sow and provide food for birds or the heads can be removed to collect seeds for controlled propagation. The perennial nature of Echinacea purpurea allows it to enter a period of dormancy over the winter, only to regrow from its robust rootstock with the return of warmer spring temperatures.

Propogation

• Propogation time

  Late Spring to Early Summer

• Propogation: Echinacea purpurea 'Fragrant Angel', commonly known as the purple coneflower, is most popularly propagated by division. This method involves splitting the clump of the plant into smaller sections. The best time to divide Echinacea is in the early spring or fall when the plant is dormant, as this minimizes stress to the plants. To propagate by division, carefully dig around the plant to lift the root ball out of the ground. Using a sharp knife or spade, cleanly cut through the root ball to create new sections, each with several shoots and a portion of the root system. Replant each division promptly, watering well to establish the newly created plants. This technique allows gardeners to rapidly increase their stock of Echinacea purpurea 'Fragrant Angel' while maintaining the characteristics of the parent plant.