Echinacea pallida (pale purple coneflower)

pale purple coneflower Echinacea pallida, the pale purple coneflower. Like all Echinacea, the pale purple coneflower is a member of the Asteraceae and is native to the central United States in areas south of Like Michigan, Mississippi Valley, and southeastern Great...

Echinacea tennesseensis (Tennessee coneflower)

Tennessee coneflower Echinacea tennesseensis (Tennessee coneflower). This member of the Asteraceae is a native endemic to the cedar glade habitats of central Tennessee, and was recently de-listed as federally endangered by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service as of...

Echinacea purpurea ‘Virgin’ (purple coneflower ‘Virgin’)

purple coneflower ‘Virgin’ Echinacea purpurea ‘Virgin’. This member of the Asteracea is an introduction by Lurie Garden plantsman, Piet Oudolf. The’Virgin’ selection was the result of crossing multiple unnamed E. purpurea selections...

Echinacea simulata (wavyleaf purple coneflower)

wavyleaf purple coneflower ​Echinacea simulata (wavyleaf purple coneflower) Botanical Name Echinacea simulata Common Name wavyleaf purple coneflower Family Asteraceae USDA Zone 5 thru 8 Light Requirement Full Sun to Part Shade Season(s) of interest spring, summer,...

Echinacea purpurea ‘Green Edge’ (purple coneflower ‘Green Edge’)

purple coneflower ‘Green Edge’ Echinacea purpurea ‘Green Edge’ (purple coneflower ‘Green Edge’) has long sturdy stems that support a orange cone surrounded by white petals. It blooms from mid-summer until autumn and prefers...

Exploring Elements of Garden Design : Plant Size

Education, Garden Design Elements, How-To Lurie Garden

The element of garden design referred to as ‘plant size’ includes many facets, height being just one. Plant spread, density, and footprint are other factors of plant size that gardeners consider when selecting plants and designing their garden spaces. Giving...

Is this a Weed? Garden Invaders, Welcome Guests and Photo-bombers

Ecological Horticulture, Garden Management, How-To Lurie Garden, Weeds

Weeds are simply plants out of place, and not all need to be removed. When deciding a weed’s fate, a gardener must consider, among other factors, the weed species, its location within the garden, and the weed’s potential function for its location. We are taught...

Limonium latifolium (sea lavender)

sea lavender Limonium latifolium (sea lavender) is a member of the Plumbaginaceae family. It is easily recognized by its dense cloud-like sprays of minute lavender-blue flowers. Sea lavender flowers throughout the summer, reaching peak flowering around August and...

In Need of Sanctuary—The Monarch Butterfly

Citizen Science, Ecological Horticulture, Garden Management, Pollinators, Wildlife

Every story of migration starts with an epic journey of how beings get from one place to another. It can be an easy journey or a tough one depending on the obstacles that await them along the way. The symbolism of the monarch butterfly is personal to many because of...

Cutting Back on the Cut-back

Climate Change, Ecological Horticulture, Garden Management, Garden Update, Pollinators, Wildlife

The mowing down of the garden in spring used to be straightforward – a crew would ride mulching mowers around the garden to make a clean palette for the anticipated crocus and tulips. While Lurie Garden’s first priority is maintaining the garden’s design...