Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea 'Green Jewel')

Overview

Echinacea purpurea ‘Green Jewel’ offers a unique twist on the classic Coneflower, replacing traditional pinks and purples with striking light green ray petals surrounding a dark green center cone. This herbaceous perennial is highly valued by gardeners for its long bloom period, extending reliably from May through August. As an adaptable plant, the Coneflower performs exceptionally well even in challenging conditions.

This cultivar is notably robust, boasting tolerance to heat, humidity, and poor soil types, making it an excellent low-maintenance choice for significant summer color. Beyond its visual appeal, Echinacea purpurea ‘Green Jewel’ supports local ecosystems by attracting butterflies and other essential insect pollinators. Its structure remains upright, forming a compact clump perfect for adding textural interest to borders.

The structure of the spent ‘Green Jewel’ flower heads provides winter interest, and if left standing, the dark cones may become a food source for goldfinches. Growing this unique Coneflower ensures a reliable source of showy, fragrant blooms suitable for both fresh arrangements and drying.

Fast Facts

• Plant Family: Asteraceae
• Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
• Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 3-8
• Size at Maturity:
  • Height: 1.5-2 ft
  • Spread: 1-1.5 ft
• Bloom Time: May to August
• Bloom Description: Light green rays with dark green cone
• Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
• Water Needs: Dry to medium
• Maintenance Level: Low

How to Grow

Plant Echinacea purpurea ‘Green Jewel’ in the spring or fall after the danger of hard frost has passed, ensuring it receives full sun for the most vigorous flowering, though it tolerates light afternoon shade. This adaptable Coneflower thrives in average, well-drained soils; drainage is essential, even though it performs well in clay soil once established. Avoid overly rich or wet locations, as this encourages flopping.

Maintenance for this perennial is generally light. While the plants rebloom satisfactorily without intervention, prompt deadheading of spent flowers encourages a tidier appearance and may prompt sporadic subsequent blooming until frost. Clumps of Echinacea purpurea ‘Green Jewel’ may become overcrowded after about four years and benefit from division at that time to maintain vigor.

Due to its inherent drought tolerance, watering Echinacea purpurea ‘Green Jewel’ is infrequent once established. Focus on deep, infrequent watering during prolonged dry spells rather than constant surface sprinkling. This species requires no special winter preparation; the dead stems often remain standing, providing structure until you prune them back in early spring before new growth begins.

Landscape Uses

The unique coloring of the ‘Green Jewel’ Coneflower makes it a versatile element in various garden designs. Plant them along border fronts where their sturdy, well-branched stems (typically 20-24 inches tall) provide great structure without requiring staking. They are particularly effective when massed or planted in groups, creating drifts of subtle green texture.

Consider using Echinacea purpurea ‘Green Jewel’ in rock gardens or in the shadier portions of open woodland gardens, leveraging its tolerance for drier, poorer soils often found there. Its unusual hue pairs beautifully with hot-colored summer flowers like orange daylilies or deep purple salvias, creating sophisticated contrast. It serves as an attractive specimen plant when placed where its unique flower heads can be easily admired.

Companion planting works well with other upright, mid-sized perennials that share similar sun and water requirements. Think about pairing these coneflowers with Russian Sage or ornamental grasses to accentuate their architectural form throughout the season.

Standout Features

Flower Qualities

• Showy
• Fragrant
• Good Cut
• Good Dried

Noteworthy Characteristics

Echinacea is a genus of seven species all endemic to eastern and central North America. Coneflowers bloom from June to August with some sporadic later bloom, and the cultivar ‘Green Jewel’ features bright light green rays surrounding rounded, dark green center cones. Discovered in the Netherlands in 2005, this upright perennial grows compactly, often reaching 4-5 inches in flower diameter on stems that do not generally require staking. The genus name Echinacea derives from the Greek word meaning hedgehog, referencing the spiny center cone common to most varieties.

Tolerances

• Deer
• Drought
• Clay Soil
• Dry Soil
• Shallow-Rocky Soil

Potential Problems

All coneflowers, including Echinacea purpurea ‘Green Jewel’, are susceptible to common garden issues like aster yellows and various fungal or bacterial leaf spots, often exacerbated by poor air circulation or overly wet conditions. Improve air flow by ensuring adequate space between plants during planting. Gardeners should also scout regularly for pests such as erythroid mites and Japanese beetles; minor infestations of the latter can often be controlled by handpicking them off the foliage and flowers.

Frequently Asked Questions

What hardiness zones is Coneflower suitable for?

Echinacea purpurea ‘Green Jewel’ is reliably hardy across USDA Zones 3 through 8, offering excellent perennial performance across a wide temperature range.

How large does Echinacea purpurea ‘Green Jewel’ grow?

This cultivar typically reaches a compact height between 1.5 and 2 feet tall, spreading to about 1 to 1.5 feet wide, forming a dense clump that rarely needs staking.

What sun exposure does Coneflower need?

For the best display of light green blooms, provide full sun, though Echinacea purpurea ‘Green Jewel’ is tolerant enough to handle partial shade exposure successfully.

When does Coneflower bloom?

This specific Coneflower variety blooms reliably throughout the summer, typically starting in May and continuing through August, offering its unique coloration during peak season.

Conclusion

The distinctive, cool-toned blooms of Echinacea purpurea ‘Green Jewel’ provide invaluable summer texture and serve as a unique focal point in any sunny perennial border. Its excellent tolerance for drought and poor soils confirms its status as a truly low-maintenance choice for modern gardening. Before planting, confirm that your site falls within USDA Zones 3-8 and provides the necessary full sun exposure to ensure a successful season of healthy Coneflower growth.

Wildlife Benefits

This selection of Coneflower is a magnet for beneficial insects throughout the mid-summer. The large, accessible flower heads provide ample landing platforms and nectar sources for numerous butterfly species, making it a prime addition to any certified wildlife garden. Planting masses of Echinacea purpurea ‘Green Jewel’ increases the overall food availability for these pollinators across the landscape.

Companion Planting

Since Echinacea purpurea ‘Green Jewel’ prefers dry-to-medium moisture and full sun, companion plants should share these preferences to avoid irrigation conflicts. Excellent partners include drought-tolerant perennials like Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia), ornamental grasses such as Little Bluestem, or other sturdy Echinacea varieties. Avoid planting tender, moisture-loving annuals directly beside it, as the Coneflower will out-compete them for resources once established.