Prairie Splendor' is the first perennial Echinacea that flowers one hundred percent within the first year. Moreover, this variety is significantly earlier than any other Echinacea. The flowering period of 'Prairie Splendor' begins already in June and it continues flowering until the first frost, longer than any other coneflower. Besides its early and extended flowering period 'Prairie Splendor's compact habit makes it a very distinctive pot plant. For all these reasons Fleuroselect judges unanimously awarded it a 2007 Gold Medal.

In detail

Echinacea purpurea 'Prairie Splendor' is a first-year flowering perennial that starts flowering in late June. In doing so, this variety is way ahead of all other Echinacea varieties and this quality makes it Gold Medal worthy. This early flowering enables 'Prairie Splendor' to join in the final rush of the bedding plant season. Even when placed in a traditional biannual culture together with other Echinaceas, this new variety will become available three to four weeks before the rest. Considering that normal Echinacea purpurea measure 80cm, 90cm or more, a height of about 60 cm makes 'Prairie Splendor' a distinctly compact Echinacea. This compact growth habit allows for more diversified use in the garden and also increases its sales potential. For maximum effect as a potted plant, a minimum of three to five 'Prairie Splendor' plants per 3-litre pot are required. This helps create a beautiful, full bodied and compact product. Assuming that the young material is planted sometime in March, the product will be ready for sale when the season for perennials in large pots takes off. Those who wish to take advantage of the early autumn market by offering flowering 'Prairie Splendor' in late summer, have to allow for a production period of about ten weeks. Further cultivation does require that the plant be sufficiently fertilised. Echinacea is a true 'glutton' when it comes to fertiliser and 'Prairie Splendor' is no exception. Cultivation requires a pH of between 6.5 and 7.