Narrow-leaf Coneflower - Prairie Native, Echinacea angustifolia

Narrow-leaf Coneflower - This coneflower is a powerhouse herb and flower used by Native Americans. Of all the echinaceas, this one was used the most extensively and had the most northern of ranges extending into the Dakotas and throughout most of the Midwest and Central Plains. They all love well drained soil but Narrow-leaf Coneflower is probably the variety that thrives in drier conditions.  It is beloved by beneficials and this variety is used most medicinally. Will tolerate clay soils. Plants reach 3-4' tall. Perennial. Hardy to zone 4. It is also known as Blacksamson echinacea as well. It is a host plant for the Ottoe's Skipper which is a threatened speccies. 

Botanical Name: Echinacea angustifolia 

Characteristics: 

• Perennial and hardy to zone 4
• One of the very best for attracting butterflies and birds
• Plants grow to 3-4 feet tall
• Light purple flowers with very narrow petals.
  
• Tolerates clay soils
• 1/4 gram or ~50 Seeds per packet 

Instructions - Narrowleaf Coneflower requires cold and moist stratification for a really good germination rate. Simply sow the seeds 2-3 months before the last frost or you can mimic the stratification process but sowing the seeds in soil or sand, water and cover to prevent the media from drying out.  It requires 3 months in the cold. Once sprouts start to grow you can then transplant outside if the harsh frosts are gone or in larger pots. 

Alternatively

• Start Indoors - 8-10 weeks before the last frost.
• Sow 1/2" deep
• Germination 10-20days
• Thin 18-24" apart

Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute seed vendors from time to time because of availability