Coneflower

It's August in Virginia, and the coneflowers are blooming! They make me jubilant enough to sketch a fun picture and head to our family's favorite ice cream parlor. Upon returning home, I began researching a summer blog post about the coneflower, Echinacea purpurea.

A member of the daisy family would make this flower a friendly addition to sunny gardens. It likes to have 6 hours or more of sun but may survive along the sunny edge of a gently wooded garden. These flowers add color and texture to a border or as an accent within the garden. These hardy perennials are drought-resistant and withstand heat and humidity. It is easy to grow and may be divided in fall or spring.

This plant has beauty and magic. The coneflower has medicinal properties, cultural significance, and spiritual symbolism. Some refer to the Coneflower as America’s favorite wildflower. The American Indians considered the Coneflower a sacred plant because of its healing powers. It is symbolic of strength and health and represents healing and well-being.  Some believe the coneflower brings prosperity and that its tea enhances psychic abilities. It has been used to cure respiratory problems and in cancer treatments.

My last research stop should have been the first—the Digital Atlas of the Virginia Flora. The coneflower is a native of the Midwest region of the United States! It is known to be an escape from areas disturbed by development and along weedy roadsides. This well-respected atlas gives my favorite summer perennial an “I” for Introduced and not an “N” for Native. I am heartbroken and even more enticed to head quickly to get that ice cream.      

 Resources

  •  Almanac.com
  • Foliagefriend.com
  • Vaplantatlas.org

 

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