Echinacea purpurea 'Fragrant Angel'
Common name: Coneflower
Echinacea has been cultivated since the 1700s, both in North America and Europe. It is native to central and eastern North America. Native Americans use the plant as a source of medicine to cure wounds and infections.
Echinacea purpurea 'Fragrant Angel' is part of the Prairie Pillars Collection, and was introduced by Terra Nova Nurseries of Oregon in 2005. It is noted for its sturdy stems and good branching. E. purpurea 'Fragrant Angel' has clean white petals around a centre ring of yellowish-orange ray florets. This echinacea is noted for its fragrance. E. purpurea 'Fragrant Angel' is a sport of Echinacea purpurea 'Ruby Giant'. Its flowers are larger than 'White Swan', about ten centimetres across, and its petals are held horizontally rather than drooping downward. The leaves of 'Fragrant Angel' are mid-green, denser at the base, becoming more sparse towards the upper part of the stem, typical of echinaceas. This plant thrives with average soil, average water, and full sun. E. purpurea 'Fragrant Angel' is a great pollen and food source for insects and birds. The long-lasting blooms are useful as cut flowers. E. purpurea 'Fragrant Angel' freely self-seeds.
Echinacea purpurea 'Fragrant Angel is a new addition to VanDusen's plant collection. It can be found in Bed 40 of the Fragrance Garden.
Text and photos by Kumi Sutcliffe