Product Description
Echinacea purpurea 'White Swan' (3.5-inch pot)
Common Name: White Swan Coneflower
- Height: 2-3 Feet
- Spread: 12-18 Inches
- Hardiness Zone: 3-8
- Full Sun
- Blooms Summer into Fall
- White petals around golden center cones
- Thrives in Summer heat
- Great cut flower
Echinacea pupurea 'White Swan' stands tall in the perennial garden. Dark green leaves are 4"-8" long, serrated, coarse and hairy. It is slow to emerge in the Spring but picks up speed once it turns hot. Blooms are daisy like with White petals circling a golden center cone. Blooms mid-Summer into Fall. Blooms are 3"-4" wide on stems shooting up above the foliage. Attracts butterflies and pollinators. Makes an excellent cut flower. Prefers average, well drained soil and will do well in poor soil. Tolerant of heat and humidity, it is a tough perennial of the prairie gardens. Performs best in Full Sun. Can be leggy in Part Shade. Mature height 2"-3', spread 1'-1.5'.
Echinacea purpurea is a wildflower native to the eastern United States and is well-adapted to survive the hot, windy conditions typical of that region. If properly cared for, they will form attractive colonies and will live for many years.
Coneflowers like it sunny and hot. Though they will tolerate light shade, fewer flowers will be produced, and the plants will be weakened. Light, loamy soils are best, but coneflowers will grow in any well-drained soil. Once established, they are quite drought tolerant.
Excellent as a border plant, in mass or containers, as cut flower or foliage, dried flower or seed heads; fragrant flowers attract butterflies. If deadheaded, the bloom cycle will be extended. However, some spent blooms should be left on the plants in fall because their seeds provide winter food for finches and other birds. The dried seed heads also provide interest in the winter. Deer resistant.
Echinacea purpurea 'White Swan' is a beautiful and popular cultivar of the purple coneflower, known for its elegant white blooms. Here is a breakdown of its key features:
Echinacea purpurea 'White Swan' (White Swan Coneflower)
- Type: Herbaceous Perennial
- Hardiness Zones: 3-8 (very adaptable)
- Height: 2 to 3 feet
- Spread: 1 to 2 feet
- Bloom Time: June to August (sometimes longer)
- Flower Color: Pure white petals with a prominent golden-yellow to coppery-orange central cone
- Sun: Full sun to partial shade (prefers full sun for best flowering)
- Soil: Well-drained, adaptable to various soil types
- Water: Drought-tolerant once established
- Attracts: Pollinators (butterflies, bees), birds (for seeds)
- Deer Resistant: Yes
Why 'White Swan' is a Great Choice
- Elegant Beauty: The pure white flowers add a touch of sophistication to any garden.
- Excellent Cut Flower: 'White Swan' makes beautiful and long-lasting cut flower arrangements.
- Attracts Pollinators: Like other Echinaceas, it is a magnet for butterflies and bees.
- Easy Care: Tolerant of drought, heat, and poor soil, making it low-maintenance.
- Native Heritage: Echinacea purpurea is native to North America, supporting local ecosystems.
- Versatile: Works well in borders, meadows, cottage gardens, and as cut flowers.
How to Grow 'White Swan'
- Planting: Plant in spring or fall. Space plants about 1 to 2 feet apart.
- Soil: Amend poor soil with compost. Ensure good drainage.
- Sunlight: Choose a spot with at least 6 hours of sun for best flowering.
- Watering: Water regularly until established, then only during prolonged dry spells.
- Fertilizing: Usually not needed, but a light application of balanced fertilizer in spring can be beneficial.
- Deadheading: Remove spent flowers to encourage more blooms and prevent excessive self-seeding. However, leaving some seed heads provides winter interest and food for birds.
- Dividing: Divide clumps every 3-4 years to prevent overcrowding and rejuvenate plants.
Potential Problems
- Japanese Beetles: Can be an occasional pest.
- Leaf Spot: Fungal disease that can be treated with fungicides.
- Aster Yellows: A viral disease that can cause distorted growth and should be removed.
Other Details
The most important part of the plant is its root system. Healthy roots are the foundation of a healthy, vibrant plant. The type of plug container used is based on the specific needs of the plants. Perennials offered as bare root traditionally perform better when planted as bare root.Planted in a specialized mix, potted plants have well established root systems. Top growth stage will vary depending on the current life cycle and time of year when shipped. In Winter and early Spring dormant plants may be shipped. Dormant plants may be planted right away, even before the last frost date.
Most bare root varieties are field grown for at least one season, though Hemerocallis and Hosta are grown for two seasons. The bulk of the soil is removed during the harvesting process and the tops of most varieties are trimmed back to the crown. They are graded, packed in shredded aspen or sphagnum moss and stored in freezers until ready to be shipped.
See our Container Sizes and Bare Root Perennials pages for more information.
Plant information and care is provided in the Overview section, Plant Genus Page and general information is provided in the Planting Care & Guides. Additional questions can be asked on each Plant page.
Plant Spacing: Using the maximum mature spread or width of a plant to guide spacing, ensures space to grow to full size. To fill an area sooner, plant them closer together. Just remember, future thinning or transplanting may be needed.
Water: Keep a close eye on newly planted perennials, especially throughout the first growing year. Most early plant loss is due to too much or too little water!
