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Plant Brief

Echinacea
'Fatal Attraction'
from Piet Oudolf
The Netherlands

Introduced 2006

Intense purple-pink flowers are held on thin, but strong, near-black stems that give this plant an appearance that's both distinctive and delicate. 

Height: 26”/ 65cm
Spread: 12”/ 30cm
Hardiness: US zones 3-8
Blooms: July-August

Common name:
Coneflower

Patent status:
USA, PPAF. Europe, PBR. AF Canada,  PBR.AF

 
 
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All You need to know
03-10-2005 13:07 It's got great winter hardiness, drought tolerance and if dead-headed will bloom for ages. Miriam Young explains all.
By Miriam Young   

Positioning
Echinacea purpurea is a native of prairies and open woods and therefore will do best in full sun or partial shade. But too much shade will result in significantly fewer flowers.

Soil
A well-drained fertile soil is favoured. This can be neutral to alkaline. Echinacea purpurea has very good drought tolerance, but it is important to keep the soil moist after planting until the plants are established.

A good amount of organic fertilizer applied in spring will encourage better growth and development. In poor soils an extra amount in summer might help to prolong flowering. If you are not using liquid fertilizer, make sure that it gets washed in, so that the roots can absorb it. 

Deadheading
Like all other single flowering E. purpurea, this cultivar will also set seeds after flowering. If you want your plant to continue blooming the same season, you need to remove the faded flowers. Otherwise the plant's energy will all go into seed production rather than flower production.

Diseases
Echinacea purpurea has very little in the way of disease problems. Some leaf spots may occur, but these will not be lethal, and after dormancy the plant will emerge again with healthy leaves.

Links
Another website you might like to check for information on growing Echinacea is Perennial Flower Gardening.

What are your experiences growing Echinacea 'Fatal Attraction'? Got any questions or tips for your fellow gardeners?

 
The Breeder
Piet Oudolf
By Miriam Young
The son of restaurant owners in Bloemendaal, The Netherlands, Piet Oudolf was an unlikely candidate for his present day status as revered garden designer and plant breeder.
The Story Behind the Plant
Echinacea 'Fatal Attraction'
By Miriam Young
A distinctive variety that could provoke strong feelings!
Growing tips
All You need to know
By Miriam Young
It's got great winter hardiness, drought tolerance and if dead-headed will bloom for ages. Miriam Young explains all.
Forum
General discussion on Echinacea 'Fatal Attraction'
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