Echinacea purpurea Magnus

Description

Echinacea purpurea ‘Magnus’ – purple coneflower

Botanical name: Echinacea purpurea ‘Magnus’
Common names: Purple coneflower
Family: Asteraceae (daisy family)
Plant type: Herbaceous perennial
Habit: Upright, clump-forming
Pot size: 2–3 litre pot
Eventual size: Approx. 90cm–1m tall × 45cm spread
Foliage: Coarse, lance-shaped, dark green leaves; deciduous
Flowers: Large daisy flowers with rich rosy-purple, slightly horizontal petals around a large, domed orange-brown central cone, from midsummer into autumn (July–September)
Scent: Not notably scented
Aspect / light: Full sun to light shade
Soil: Fertile, moist but well-drained; dislikes winter wet; any pH
Hardiness: RHS H5 (hardy, to about −15°C); USDA zones 4–9
Exposure: Open, sunny
Native range: Garden form; the species is native to North America
Toxicity / pet & child safety: Generally considered non-toxic to people and pets

Echinacea purpurea ‘Magnus’ is a superb prairie perennial with large rosy-purple daisy flowers and bold orange-brown cones from midsummer into autumn. A magnet for bees and butterflies, with seedheads for birds.

GardenAdvice notes

One of the best of all perennials for late-summer colour and wildlife, ‘Magnus’ is a fine purple coneflower with large, striking daisy flowers — rich rosy-purple petals held boldly around a prominent orange-brown cone — from midsummer well into autumn. A stalwart of prairie-style and sunny borders, it is a magnet for bees and butterflies, and its seedheads feed birds and give winter structure.

Growing & planting

Plant in spring in fertile, moist but well-drained soil in full sun to light shade — it likes reasonable moisture in summer but dislikes cold, wet soil in winter, which is the main cause of losses. Space about 45cm apart. Water while establishing.

Care & maintenance

Low-maintenance. Deadhead to prolong flowering if wished, but leave the later flowers to form seedheads, which feed birds and look wonderful in winter, then cut back in early spring. Sharp winter drainage helps it persist, as it can be short-lived in heavy, wet soil. Divide congested clumps in spring.

Propagation

• Division: Lift and divide established clumps in spring, as growth begins.
• Seed: Can be raised from seed, and may self-seed gently.

Pests & diseases

Generally trouble-free in a sunny, well-drained spot. It can be short-lived in wet, heavy soil over winter. Slugs may graze new growth. Otherwise robust and rewarding.

Uses in the garden

Superb in prairie-style, gravel, cottage and wildlife borders, where its bold daisies bring long late-summer colour and its seedheads give winter structure; excellent for cutting and a top plant for pollinators.

Wildlife value

One of the very best plants for wildlife: the flowers are hugely attractive to bees and butterflies through late summer, and the seedheads are a valuable food source for finches and other birds in autumn and winter.

Toxicity & safety

Purple coneflower is generally regarded as non-toxic to people and pets.

GardenAdvice tip

‘Magnus’ is a first-rate plant for pollinators and one of the mainstays of a prairie-style border — bees and butterflies flock to the big rosy-purple daisies, and if you leave the seedheads standing rather than cutting back in autumn, finches will feed on them and they look beautiful frosted in winter. Give it sharp winter drainage, as wet cold soil is the main thing that shortens its life.

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