Twin Cities Lions Plan Whale Watch Trip 
Twin Cities Lions Shickshinny/mocanaqua Will Hold A Trip To Provincetown, 
Mass., May 16-17.

2 Killed, 1 Injured In Route 92 Collision

Sunday, January 25, 1998 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Page: 1G 





Echinacea: Beauty, health &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Echinacea, commonly called the Purple Cone-flower, gets its name from the &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Greek word echinos. The Globe Thistle (Echinops) also gets its name from
this &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Greek term that describes the bristly, prickly specialized hair of the
hedgehog and spiny sea urchinsThe center "cone" of the Echinacea (ek-in-ay,
see-a) blossom looks like a defensively curled up hedge-hog. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 En garde! &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The Perennial Plant Association has named one particular cultivar of E.
purpurea (pur-pewr'ree-a) the Perennial Plant of the Year for 1998. This
cultivar of Echinacea purpurea called "Magnus" has been around for some years.
Allan Armitage lists it in his 1989 book "Herbaceous Perennial Plants" as
"rose-colored with petals that don't droop as much." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 However, it appears that further breeding of `Magnus' has resulted in a
more reddish color. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 To be considered for selection as a perennial plant of the year, the PPA
uses criteria such as: &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Suitability for a wide range of climates. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Not high in maintenance. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Easily propagated. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Resistant to pests &amp; disease. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Showiness. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Magnus is the namesake of 90-year-old Magnus Nilsson, who is also known for
his small specialty nursery in Sweden. He loved the attractive, noncomplaining
Echinacea but wanted less of the "shuttlecock" appearance caused by its
reflexed ray petals. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Nilsson bred a showy, (i.e. "redder") hue and flatter petal display into
his offspring Magnus. Thus, the prestigious PPA Plant of the Year designation. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 A WILD FLOWER &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The Echinaceas are native North American treasures. You'll probably find
more information on this perennial wild flower in your herbal manuals than in
your flower books. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Hailing from the Midwestern plains, you'd expect it to exhibit wind and
drought tolerance. Indeed, the stiff stems and bristly continence of the
Purple Cone-flower makes it a good choice for dry~, windy, full-sun problem
areas. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 And Cone-flower also makes an outstanding cut flower. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Other species include E. pallida (pale purple), E. paradoxa (yellow), E.
tennesseensis (erect petals) and the white varieties such as "White Swan." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 E. angustifolia has a long, puissant taproot and is medicinally considered
the most potent of the Echinaceas. Its use in stimulating the immune system
has been much studied and its common homeopathic use is in preventing colds or
flu. Most herbalists rank Echinacea supreme in the treatment of colds and
prescribe it as capsules, tinctures, teas or root. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 NO HERBAL ABUSE, PLEASE &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Over use of Echinacea may cause reduction of its efficacy. It is ranked by
the FDA as having "undefined safety" which means that this division of our tax
dollars has not yet proved or disproved its safety. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Echinacea likes full sun, (a little shade is OK). It grows to three or four
feet tall. It tolerates a wide range of soil, but prefers a pH of 6. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 To start seeds, plant them 1/8 inch deep and stratify at 40 degrees
(refrigerate) for four weeks. (Stratification of E. angustifolia is necessary,
though not as critical for E. purpurea.) &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 After that, germinate the seeds at 68 degrees for 14 days. Grow cool and
transplant at six weeks. As with most perennials, after the plant is
established, divide when flower production diminishes or some gardener or
herbalist comes begging. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 I use a tastefully blended Echinacea tea whenever I feel the familiar flags
of the cold and flu season. Along with supplemental vitamin C and plenty of
sleep, I fare pretty well. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 To me there is something quite comforting in having a very large patch of
Echinacea growing nearby, both in its summer splendor and its restful rooted
repose beneath the frozen earth. It's beautiful, undemanding, healthful and so
wonderful to watch as the butterflies stroke its cone of hedgehoggy quills. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 What more can you ask? &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Maybe a flatter petal display and a showy new hue? Congratulations, Mr.
Nilsson. Well done! &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Judi Segebarth is a master gardener and owner of an organic, educational
center near Zone 5 Wyalusing. Write to her in care of the Arts &amp; Leisure Team,
The Times Leader, 15 N. Main St., Wilkes-Barre, PA 18711-0250. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 SOURCES FOR MAGNUS &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Gibbs Perennials, LeRaysville, Pa. Open May 8 for Mother's Day weekend. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Creekside Gardens, state route 29 Tunkhannock. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Hillside Garden Center, 1441 Front St., Binghamton, N.Y. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 SEEDS FOR OTHER ECH

Echinacea: Beauty, Health 
Echinacea, Commonly Called The Purple Cone-flower, Gets Its Name From The 
Greek Word Echinos. The Globe Thistle (echinops) Also Gets Its Name From This 
Greek Term That Describes The Bristly, Prickly Specialized Hair Of The 
Hedgehog And Spiny Sea Urchins.

Echinacea: Beauty, Health Echinacea, Commonly Called The Purple Cone-flower, Gets Its Name From The Greek Word Echinos. The Globe Thistle (echinops) Also Gets Its Name From This Greek Term That Describes The Bristly, Prickly Specialized Hair Of The Hedgehog And Spiny Sea Urchins.