Echinacea laevigata (2022)

echinacea laevigata also known as smooth coneflower

Latin name: Echinacea laevigata 
Common name: Smooth Coneflower 
Flowers: Showy pink/purple blooms in May, June, and July 10,13; flowers are typically 1-3inches 13 
Fruit: Inconspicuous, tan seeds formed by the center disc flower 13 
Height & Width: 3’h x 1-2’w 19 
Type: Herbaceous perennial 10, 12,16 
Habit: Upright, clumping form12 
Wetland indicator category**: FACU17 
Texture: Coarse4 
Growth rate: Medium 4 
Light: Full sun 13,19 
Moisture: Medium 4,19 
Soil*: Well-drained, clay or rocky, neutral on alkaline soils13 
Zones: 4-8 4,12 
Origin: Southeast United States (L48)16 
Ecosystem benefits: Supports Wavy-lined Emerald (Synchlora aerata) larvae, visited by honey and native bees for its nectar, provides food for birds in the winter if seed heads remain13 
Features: This flower is an endangered species with key traits that benefit wildlife10,13. The native flower provides showy summer blooms that work well in mass plantings or further back in planting beds, with a natural dear resistance4. The sturdy stems make the flowers great for cut flower production4,13.

Siting: Smooth coneflower can do well in mass plantings, perennial beds, or in naturalized environments4. This plant has a variety of uses ranging from growing as a wildflower in a meadow to a specialty crop in a cut flower garden13. Smooth coneflower prefers full sun and well-draining soil and can become drought tolerant after establishment19.

Care: Plant crown at soil level18. At planting, water the roots and surrounding area slowly and deeply. Keep soil moist until plant is established, then apply enough water to thoroughly moisten the root zone when the soil is dry or during drought. Modify water recommendations to reflect site drainage and rainfall. Apply 3” of mulch over the planted area. Do not allow mulch to touch the plant stems18. Deadheading old blooms will encourage new growth and result in a longer blooming season13.

Pests: Plants are relatively pest resistant if cultural preferences are met but Japanese beetles and leaf spot cause occasional problems13.

This plant does not appear on the following invasive plant lists on (10/9/22):

Author: Elizabeth Hudgens

Image source: https://bwwellsassociation.wordpress.com/2018/03/17/the-developmental-stages-of-the-smooth-coneflower-echinacea-laevigata/

Sources:

  1. Armitage, A. (2001). Armitage’s manual of annuals, biennials, and half-hardy perennials. Portland, OR: Timber Press.
  2. Armitage, A. (2006). Armitage’s native plants for North American gardens. Portland, Oregon: Timber Press.
  3. Armitage, A. (2008). Herbaceous perennial plants: A treatise on their identification, culture, and garden attributes. Athens, GA: University of Georgia.
  4. Clemson Cooperative Extension Home and Garden Information Center.(2011). Flowers fact sheets. Retrieved from https://hgic.clemson.edu/category/flowers/
  5. Clemson Cooperative Extension Home and Garden Information Center.(2011). Groundcovers & vines fact sheets.Retrieved from https://hgic.clemson.edu/category/groundcovers/
  6. Clemson Cooperative Extension Home and Garden Information Center.(2011). Trees. Retrieved from https://hgic.clemson.edu/category/trees/
  7. Clemson Cooperative Extension Home and Garden Information Center.(2011). Shrubs. Retrieved from https://hgic.clemson.edu/category/shrubs/
  8. Dirr, M. A. (2009). Manual of woody landscape plants. Champaign, IL: Stipes Publishing.
  9. Gilman, E. F. (1997). Trees for urban and suburban landscapes. Albany, NY: Delmar Publishers.
  10. Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center University of Texas at Austin. (2012). Native plant information network. Retrieved from http://www.wildflower.org/explore/
  11. McMillan, P., Plant taxonomist Clemson University, personal communication.
  12. Missouri Botanical Garden Kemper Center for Home Gardening. Plant finder. Retrieved from http://www.mobot.org/gardeninghelp/plantfinder/Alpha.asp
  13. North Carolina State University (2005). Plant fact sheets. Retrieved from http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/consumer/factsheets/index.html
  14. Strother, E. V., Ham, D. L., Gilland, L. (2003) Urban tree species guide: Choosing the right tree for the right place.  Columbia, SC: South Carolina Forestry Commission.
  15. University of Florida, IFAS Extension. (2011). Southern trees fact sheet. Retrieved from http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/department_envhort-trees
  16. USDA . Plant profile. (n/d).Retrieved from http://plants.usda.gov/java/
  17. USDA. Plant wetland indicator status. (n/d). Retrieved from http://plants.usda.gov/wetland.html
  18. Vincent, E., Environmental horticulturist Clemson University, personal communication.
  19. Clemson Extension. Carolina Yards Plant Database. Retrieved from https://www.clemson.edu/extension/carolinayards/plant-database/index.html

*Soil pH is determined using a professional soil test. Contact your Clemson University County Extension service for assistance www.clemson.edu/extension/. Click on “local offices”.

**2012 Plant Wetland Indicator categories (quantitative derived) http://plants.usda.gov/wetinfo.html