Echinacea purpurea: Kims Knee High Purple Cone Flower

Latin name: Echinacea purpurea ‘Kim’s Knee-High’
Common name: Purple coneflower
Flowers: Purple-pinkish petals surround a raised brown/bronze-colored center disk^{2, 12}.
Fruit: Inconspicuous³
Height & Width: 2’ x 2’³
Type: Herbaceous perennia^{4, 10}
Habit: Upright^{3, 12}
Wetland indicator category**: Not available¹⁷
Texture: Coarse⁴
Growth rate: Medium⁴
Light: Full sun to part shade
Moisture: Dry to medium¹⁰
Soil*: Tolerates clay, sandy to rich soils^{10, 12}
Zones: 3 - 8²
Origin: Midwestern to Eastern United States, including South Carolina¹⁶.
Features: ‘Kim’s Knee-High’ is a dwarf cultivar of this common garden favorite, purple coneflower. It is beneficial and highly attractive to birds, bees and butterflies^{2, 12}. Flowering begins in mid-summer and continues sporadically until frost^{3, 4}.

Siting: Echinacea purpurea ‘Kim’s Knee-High’ performs best in moist, well-drained soil and full sun conditions⁴.

Care: Plant crown at soil level¹⁸. At planting, water the roots and surrounding area slowly and deeply. Keep soil moist until plant is established, then apply enough water to thoroughly moisten the root zone when the soil is dry or during drought. Modify water recommendations to reflect site drainage and rainfall. Apply 3” of mulch over the planted area. Do not allow mulch to touch the plant stems¹⁸. It can be divided every 3 to 4 years to prevent overcrowding⁴.

Pests: Echinacea are prone to several disease and insect pest problems such as stem rots, powdery mildew, anthracnose, and aster yellows. In addition, there may be damage from aphids, Japanese beetles, and mites; however, the resulting symptoms are usually minimal. Proper plant spacing, well-drained soils and proper sanitation by removing plant debris will help reduce disease problems^4.

Author: Allison Kelly

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