Echinacea 'Magnus'

Echinacea purpurea 'Magnus': The Crown Jewel of the Perennial Garden

Echinacea purpurea 'Magnus' stands as the crown jewel of the perennial garden, elevating the landscape with its majestic, broad, rosy-pink petals that elegantly encircle a rich, coppery-orange cone. Awarded the prestigious title of Perennial Plant of the Year in 1998, 'Magnus' is revered for its enhanced flower form, upright stature, and unparalleled attractiveness to pollinators. This cultivar represents a pinnacle of breeding in the Echinacea genus, offering a robust growth habit and a more consistent floral display. Perfectly suited for mass plantings, mixed borders, or as a vibrant addition to wildlife gardens, 'Magnus' thrives under the full sun, blessing the garden with its regal blooms from early summer through to autumn's first frost.

Product Characteristics:

• Height: 'Magnus' achieves an imposing height of 90-120 cm, making it an exceptional choice for adding vertical drama and a splash of vivid color to garden designs, where its commanding blooms can attract admiration from afar.
• Spread: It forms a substantial, upright clump, spreading approximately 45-60 cm wide, ensuring a rich and vibrant display of foliage and blooms that can majestically fill garden spaces with its stately presence.
• Flower Colour: The flowers feature large, rosy-pink petals that radiate horizontally, rather than drooping, from the striking coppery-orange cone, blooming prolifically to create a visually stunning effect that is both bold and beautiful.
• Flowering Period: Blooming from early summer through to autumn, Echinacea purpurea 'Magnus' ensures the garden remains a lively and engaging retreat, offering an extended burst of rosy-pink elegance.
• Foliage: Its foliage is a lush, deep green, providing a striking backdrop that enhances the vibrancy of the blooms, adding texture and depth to the plant's overall appearance.
• Sunlight Requirements: Prefers full sun, thriving in conditions that encourage a lavish display of flowers and healthy, vigorous growth.
• Soil Requirements: Enjoys well-drained soil, rich in organic matter. 'Magnus' is adaptable to a range of soil conditions but performs best in soils that are consistently moist and fertile.

Uses and Benefits: Beyond its aesthetic appeal, Echinacea purpurea 'Magnus' plays a crucial role in supporting garden biodiversity. Its nectar-rich blooms attract a myriad of pollinators, including bees, butterflies, and birds, enhancing the garden's ecological balance and contributing to the health of these essential species.

Companion Plants: Pair with other sun-loving perennials such as Black-Eyed Susans, Russian Sage, and Sedum for a textured, vibrant garden display. The rosy-pink of 'Magnus' beautifully complements the varied hues and textures of these companions, creating a cohesive and visually appealing garden tableau.

Care Instructions: Echinacea purpurea 'Magnus' is delightfully low maintenance, requiring minimal care to thrive. Water regularly to establish a deep, extensive root system, and thereafter as needed to maintain moderate soil moisture. Its drought tolerance once established further eases its care, making it a joy for any gardener.

History: With its selection as the Perennial Plant of the Year in 1998, 'Magnus' has solidified its status as a garden favorite, celebrated for its superior flower form, structural integrity, and magnetism for wildlife. Its cultivation has brought a new level of sophistication and allure to gardens, captivating those with an appreciation for durable beauty and pollinator support.

Final Thoughts: Echinacea purpurea 'Magnus', with its striking rosy-pink flowers and robust foliage, acts as the crown jewel of the perennial garden. Whether used to create dramatic mass plantings, enhance mixed borders, or simply to bask in its regal beauty, 'Magnus' brings a touch of majesty, resilience, and enduring charm to any garden setting, inviting all who visit to delight in its unparalleled beauty and captivating presence.