Echinacea Magnus Superior
Notify MeEchinacea purpurea Magnus Superior is a radiant addition to any garden with its strikingly bold and giant, rosy-purple flowers. Unlike the typical coneflower, Magnus Superior features petals that are held out flat, creating a distinctive and eye-catching display. As an early flowerer, this compact variety ensures a garden is alive with vibrant colours from early to late summer and even offers sporadic flowers until the frost sets in. Its versatility makes it perfect for perennial borders, small gardens and containers, providing a stunning visual impact wherever planted.
Native to North America and used for its medicinal properties, the Echinacea, or Coneflower, has been a garden staple for many years. Magnus, which was honoured as the Perennial Plant of the Year in 1998, grows up to 75-90 cm tall and 30-45 cm wide, thriving in full sun and well-drained soils. It is remarkably tolerant of drought, heat and humidity, making it a resilient choice for gardeners. This variety is not only excellent as cut flowers but also supports wildlife; if its flower heads are left in the autumn they attract birds that feed on the seeds. Spent flowers should be removed and stems cut back, so flowers can continue to appear. Propagation can be achieved through division in spring or autumn, or by root cuttings in late autumn to early winter, allowing the beauty to be multiplied and shared throughout the garden.
Trimming: Cut back stems to the ground in late autumn after the plant has finished flowering. This helps tidy the plant and encourages healthy new growth in the spring.
Deadheading: Regularly deadhead spent flowers to prolong the flowering season and promote further flowering. Leave some flower heads in place if you wish to allow for self-seeding or to provide winter interest.
Fertilising: Echinacea purpurea generally requires minimal fertilisation. Apply a light dose of balanced, slow-release fertiliser in early spring if the soil is poor.
Watering: Water regularly during the establishment phase. Once established, Echinacea purpurea is quite drought-tolerant but benefits from occasional deep watering during prolonged dry periods.
Pest Control: Watch for pests such as aphids and Japanese beetles. Hand-pick beetles and use insecticidal soap to manage aphids if infestations occur.
Disease Management: Be on the lookout for signs of powdery mildew and aster yellows. Powdery mildew appears as a white, powdery coating on leaves and can be treated with fungicides. Aster yellows causes distorted growth and yellowing leaves; affected plants should be removed to prevent the spread. Ensure proper spacing and air circulation to minimise disease risk.
Enjoy complimentary delivery anywhere in mainland New Zealand when you purchase plants worth $250 or more*.
For orders below $250, the following flat-rate delivery charges are applicable:
- Urban delivery within mainland New Zealand: $19.95
- Rural delivery within mainland New Zealand: $39.95
- Waiheke, Chatham and Great Barrier Islands: Please contact us for shipping options.
We aim to have all orders shipped within 14 days from the order date, unless a different shipping date is specified alongside a product.
