![]() ![]() ![]() Buy the biggest coneflower plants you can find Adding some compost to the bed before you plant will make them happier, too. While the plain old purple coneflowers (and their white siblings) will grow almost anywhere, the yellow, orange and red ones need full sun and rich, moist, well-drained soil. But for the most success, try these tips from Dan Heims, president of Terra Nova ® Nurseries, Inc., a company that’s developed some of these bright new flowers. And that means the offspring are a little pickier, too. Why aren’t they as vigorous? Well, the plant breeding that created those vibrant colors included a species that’s a little pickier about its growing conditions than purple coneflower, the one most of us grow. Those gorgeous yellow, orange and red coneflowers certainly are standouts in the garden! But gardeners may be disappointed if they expect them to bloom year after year without a care in the world like the old-fashioned purple coneflowers. Take a look at our tips below to get the most out of your coneflowers. After that, you’re off the hook! The yellow, orange and red ones can be a little tougher to get to survive for several years. Like any perennial, you’ll want to water new plants the first summer, to get them safely established. As long as you put the plant in the ground right side up, it should be fine! Coneflowers like plenty of sun and average, well-drained soil. When it comes to the old-fashioned pink-purple or white coneflower, there isn’t an easier plant to grow. That sounds like enough reasons for any gardener to take a second look at coneflowers! Butterflies and bees flock to the flowers, and birds will come to your garden in fall and winter to eat the seedheads. The perky blooms last a long time and make nice cut bouquets. They’ll withstand nearly anything that Mother Nature can throw at them, including bitter cold winters and hot, dry summers. Why grow coneflowers in the first place? That’s easy: They’re carefree plants that grow happily in almost any kind of soil. In fact, there are some interesting options in coneflowers that may make you want to carve out a little extra space for them! Why every garden should have coneflowers But that doesn’t mean you should overlook them. Echinacea perform best with a rich, evenly moist, well-drained, organic-enriched soil, but will grow in average or poor soil.If you think that basic means boring, think again! Coneflowers ( Echinacea spp. No serious pests or diseases impact Echinacea.PLANTING: Set plants 18 to 24 inches apart, in a sunny or lightly shaded location. Not all Echinacea hybrids grow true from seed, so consider removing chance seedlings. Flowering period may be extended by deadheading (removing faded blooms). MAINTENANCE: Keep plants moist but not overly wet until established. The dried seed heads also provide interest in the winter. However, some spent blooms should be left on the plants in fall because their seeds provide winter food for finches and other birds. If deadheaded, the bloom cycle will be extended. Use in mass or group plantings, borders, entrance ways, back of the perennial bed, and naturalized areas or woodland edge. Once established, Echinacea's thick tap-root will grow deep and is fairly drought tolerant. Dwarf and compact forms of Echinacea are available. Most plants in the family grow about 2 to 4 feet tall and about 2 feet wide. Once established, they are quite drought tolerant.Įchinacea are multi-stemmed plants with bushy, upright growth and large flower stalks that raise above the plant base. Light, loamy soils are best, but coneflowers will grow in any well-drained soil. Though they will tolerate light shade, fewer flowers will be produced and the plants will be weakened. Morning sun and afternoon shade often yield the best looking flowers. Native to North American, purple coneflower was once common in meadows and prairies and is often used in summer gardens to attract butterflies or for use as a cut flower.Ĭoneflowers like it sunny and hot. There are also numerous flower types available including single, double, quilled, or cultivars with bi-color blooms or petals that changes color over time.Įchinacea translates from the Greek as "hedge hog", referring to its prickly receptacle scales. Echinacea (ek-in-nay-shee-uh), Coneflowers, are not just purple coneflowers anymore, but a wide range of flower colorations consisting of various hues of magenta, orange, pink, purple, white, and yellow. ![]()
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