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ECHINACEA purpurea 'Kim's Knee High'

Image of Echinacea purpurea 'Kim's Knee High' PP12242

James H. Schutte

Family

Asteraceae

Botanical Name

ECHINACEA purpurea 'Kim's Knee High' PP12242

Plant Common Name

Eastern Purple Coneflower, Kim's Knee High Coneflower, Purple Coneflower

General Description

Who doesn't love this colorful, easy-to-grow garden perennial? Kim's Knee High coneflower is a hardy herbaceous plant native to the eastern United States. In early to late summer, sturdy stems bear large showy rosy-pink daisies with large conical centers of brown, orange or green, each lasting about three weeks. Bloom time may be extended if spent flowers are removed, or deadheaded. This fantastic dwarf cultivar typically blooms for an extended period of at least twelve weeks.

A dependable garden staple, 'Kim's Knee High' self-sows freely but not too aggressively. It is happiest when planted in sites with full sun and well-drained, moderately fertile garden soil. It is both heat and drought tolerant. After its fist flowering in early summer, deadheading will lead to a second mass blooming in mid to late summer on slightly taller stems, and then sporadically up until frost. This carefree native is an excellent choice for perennial gardens, mixed borders, massed foundation plantings or wildflower plantings.

Coneflowers make great cutflowers. In addition, their fresh blooms attract butterflies and the dry seed-filled cones draw seed-eating birds, such as finches. Those seeking deer-resistant plants should also consider planting purple coneflower.

Characteristics

  • AHS Heat Zone

    9 - 1

  • USDA Hardiness Zone

    3 - 9

  • Sunset Zone

    A2, A3, 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24

  • Plant Type

    Perennial

  • Sun Exposure

    Full Sun, Partial Sun

  • Height

    15"-24" / 38.1cm - 61.0cm

  • Width

    16"-24" / 40.6cm - 61.0cm

  • Bloom Time

    Early Summer, Summer, Late Summer, Early Fall

  • Native To

    Northeastern United States, Mid-Atlantic United States, Southeastern United States, North-Central United States, Central United States, South-Central United States, Canada

Growing Conditions

  • Soil pH

    Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline

  • Soil Drainage

    Average

  • Soil type

    Clay, Loam

  • Tolerances

    Drought

  • Growth Rate

    Medium

  • Water Requirements

    Drought Tolerant, Average Water

  • Habit

    Clump-Forming

  • Seasonal Interest

    Summer, Fall

Ornamental Features

  • Flower Interest

    Showy

  • Flower Color

    Pink, Rose

  • Fruit Color

    Brown

  • Foliage Color (Spring)

    Green, Light Green

  • Foliage Color (Summer)

    Dark Green

  • Foliage Color (Fall)

    Light Green, Dark Green, Yellow Green, Brown

  • Fragrant Flowers

    No

  • Fragrant Fruit

    No

  • Fragrant Foliage

    No

  • Bark or Stem Fragrant

    No

  • Flower Petal Number

    Single

  • Repeat Bloomer

    Yes

  • Showy Fruit

    No

  • Edible Fruit

    No

  • Showy Foliage

    No

  • Foliage Texture

    Medium

  • Foliage Sheen

    Matte

  • Evergreen

    No

  • Showy Bark

    No

Special Characteristics

  • Usage

    Dried Flower / Everlasting, Bedding Plant, Container, Cutflower, Feature Plant, Foundation, Groundcover, Mixed Border, Rock Garden / Wall, Wildflower

  • Sharp or Has Thorns

    Yes

  • Invasive

    No

  • Attracts

    Birds, Butterflies

  • Self-Sowing

    Yes