Echinacea purpurea Kismet Orange Intense - Purple Coneflower

Echinacea Kismet® Intense Orange is a variety of Echinacea from the excellent Kismet series which brings together well-hardy selections, with a compact and upright habit and large, particularly durable flowers. It is a reliable and faithful perennial that blooms from a young age and throughout the summer. Its flowers are a beautiful size, with a rich, vibrant orange colour, surrounding a rounded heart with tones of ember. Truly flamboyant and generous, this plant is ideal in a pot or as a border plant. It is also a low-maintenance plant that adapts to all well-drained soils, even occasionally dry ones. 

Native to the western United States, from Georgia to Michigan, passing through Oklahoma and Ohio, Echinacea purpurea is a perennial with a strong character, unlike anything known, but which confidently colonizes rocky prairies, savannas, clear undergrowth, and roadsides in its natural habitat. 'Kismet Intense Orange' is a dwarf form of this robust pioneer. It forms a dense and sturdy clump, 40-45cm (16-18in) in height and 60cm (24in) in width. This plant does not weaken or collapse, demonstrating excellent resilience. The opposite lanceolate leaves are dark green and covered in rough hairs. The abundant flowering occurs from July to October and is very popular with butterflies. The branched stems terminate in a solitary head measuring 8cm (3in) in diameter, with a prominent, bristly central disc, initially orange with red highlights, surrounded by petals or ligules in a range of orange shades. The fruit is an achene that releases seeds which birds enjoy. This plant securely and deeply anchors itself in the soil, thanks to its well-developed root system.

Echinacea Kismet Intense Orange can be grown in pots or in open ground. This perennial fits well in borders alongside other varieties from the Kismet series or in the company of compact Inulas, torch lilies, yarrows, daisies, globe thistles, and Coreopsis. Lighten up the scene by mixing in some ornamental grasses like Stipa tenuifolia, Muhlenbergia capillaris... Splendid in borders, the beautiful colours of Echinacea are also highly appreciated in fresh or dried flower bouquets.

A medicinal plant: In homeopathy, the root of Echinacea is used to combat colds and strengthen the immune system. These properties were already used by Native Americans. The name Echinacea comes from the Greek echinos which means "hedgehog-like" and acea meaning "having the shape of", referring to the appearance of the flower's heart.