Flower Library
Coneflower
Echinacea purpurea · Korbblütler (Asteraceae)
Echinacea, the coneflower, brings a natural, almost wild touch to any arrangement with its striking spiky central cone and gently swept-back petals. As a cut flower the coneflower is surprisingly robust and reaches us fresh from the Veiling Rhein-Maas from high summer into autumn. We love it for its honesty: no frills, just structure, colour and a staying power that comfortably exceeds the usual seven days.
- Season
- July – August – September – October
- Vase life
- 7–12 days
- Latin name
- Echinacea purpurea
- Colors
- Purple-pink, Magenta, White, Orange, Yellow, Coral, Green
The classic is the purple-pink Echinacea purpurea with its coppery-orange central cone. Alongside it there is now a whole palette: pure-white cultivars such as White Swan, vivid orange-red hybrids from the Sombrero and Cheyenne series, and double, pompon-like types such as Double Scoop. The single, non-double varieties are especially interesting for floristry, because their cone remains a decorative seed head even after flowering.
In floristry we mainly use the coneflower as a structural flower in naturalistic summer arrangements. Its long, sturdy stems and clear silhouette give a bouquet height and rhythm without overwhelming it. We like to place Echinacea as a focal point among softer flower shapes or as a rhythmic repetition running through the whole bouquet to guide the eye.
A reliable mark of quality is the firmness of stem and cone: fresh stock stands perfectly upright, the central cone is plump and the petals are not yet over-extended. Echinacea is ready to cut once the petals have fully opened and tipped slightly backwards. Because we buy directly at the Veiling Rhein-Maas in A1 quality, the coneflower reaches us with no middleman and therefore especially fresh - and you can tell from how long it lasts.
Stylistically Echinacea works beautifully in prairie and natural-garden bouquets, in loose summer arrangements and in autumnal designs where the dried seed heads are allowed to play along. The warm magenta, orange and coral tones harmonise with grasses and umbellifers, while the white cultivars allow for elegant, calm compositions. Even dried, the flower cone keeps its shape for a long time.
Care
- 01Cut the stems at an angle and place them straight into lukewarm, clean water - a fresh cut every two to three days noticeably extends vase life.
- 02Remove the lower leaves so nothing rots in the water and the vase stays clear for longer.
- 03Choose a cool spot out of direct sun and avoid radiators and draughts.
- 04Echinacea is fairly thirsty: check the water level daily and top up when needed.
- 05Change the water every couple of days, ideally with a dash of flower food, and rinse the vase thoroughly each time.
- 06Spent petals can be pulled off - the bare cone remains attractive as a decorative seed head for a long time.
Frequently asked
- How long does Echinacea last in a vase?
- With good care the coneflower lasts seven to twelve days. A fresh cut, clean water and a cool spot usually push A1-quality stems to the upper end of that range. Even once the petals drop, the cone remains decorative as a seed head.
- Is Echinacea toxic to cats, dogs or children?
- No. Echinacea purpurea is considered non-toxic to dogs, cats and humans - the plant is even used medicinally. Larger amounts eaten can nonetheless cause mild stomach upset, so as always flowers are not part of a pet's menu.
- When is Echinacea in season as a cut flower?
- The main season runs from high summer into autumn, roughly July to October. During this period we source fresh stems from the Veiling Rhein-Maas; in autumn the dried seed heads are also much in demand.
- What does Echinacea combine well with?
- Very well with grasses, umbellifers and other summer perennials in naturalistic bouquets. The warm magenta and orange tones harmonise with earthy colours, while the white cultivars suit calm, elegant designs.