Echinacea tennesseensis  (Tennessee Purple Coneflower)

Echinacea tennesseensis

Family: Asteraceae
Herbaceous perennial.  Native to a limited range in the Eastern United States.  E. tennesseensis is listed as a federally endangered species.  This plant was probably never very wide-spread, and is now extremely limited in its wild distribution.  For this reason, it needs to be cultivated and increased by serious farmers who can insulate the planting at least a mile from other Echinacea species.  Our seed is genetically pure and comes from a cultivated and certified organic source.  The plant is worth saving, with deep purple ray flowers (petals) which tend to be upwardly reflexed. Cultivation:  Extra care.  Sow in a flat or directly in the garden in the fall, midwinter or very early spring.  Requires at least 2 months of cold, moist conditioning to give full germination.  Sow shallowly, and keep moist.  Thin or transplant to 1 to 2 feet apart.  Flowers purple, to 2 feet tall. 

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