Garden Notebook – The Echinacea Explosion!

[vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern”][vc_column][vc_empty_space][vc_single_image image=”4208″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” onclick=”link_image” qode_css_animation=””][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern”][vc_column][vc_column_text]Whether you call them coneflowers or echinacea, these stunning perennial flowers scream hot summer days in a staggering variety of colors. All hybrid coneflowers spring from our native echinaceas found by explorers in prairies and meadows across the country. In the 1990’s horticulturalists leaped into action resulting in now hundreds of available cultivars. The new coneflowers just keep coming in a huge range of colors, heights, and flower forms. Long-blooming, sun-loving, and tough, coneflowers have become one of the quintessential mid to late summer garden flowers. Plant in full sun and you will have beautiful drought-tolerant (water well the first year) flowers into fall and for seasons to come. Let the last flowers go to seed on the plant and the goldfinches will thank you![/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern”][vc_column width=”1/4″][vc_single_image image=”4209″ img_size=”300×300″ alignment=”center” onclick=”link_image” qode_css_animation=””][vc_column_text]

‘Pow Wow Wild Berry’

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Double Scoop ‘Bubble Gum’

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]Pink Coneflowers

The original Echinacea purpurea is pinkish lavender in color, hence the common name, purple coneflower. In recent years the color has morphed into a range of pinks from soft to hot magenta. Look for ‘Solar Flare’, PowWow ‘Wild Berry’, and Double Scoop ‘Bubble Gum’.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern”][vc_column width=”1/4″][vc_single_image image=”4221″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” onclick=”link_image” qode_css_animation=””][vc_column_text]

‘White Swan’

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PowWow ‘White’

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]White Coneflowers

White is anything but purple! Apparently, white echinaceas are bred from plants that are naturally occurring and the new ones on the market are just fabulous. They are particularly elegant planted with lavender! Look for ‘White Double Delight’, ‘White Swan’, PowWow ‘White’, Sombrero ‘Blanco’, and ‘Happy Star’.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern”][vc_column width=”1/4″][vc_single_image image=”4219″ img_size=”300×300″ alignment=”center” onclick=”link_image” qode_css_animation=””][vc_column_text]

Sombrero ‘Salsa Red’

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‘Tomato Soup’

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]Red Coneflowers

The deeply saturated petals of red coneflowers are just eye-popping. These are hot colors and won’t disappear into the background by any means! Look for Sombrero ‘Salsa Red’, and ‘Tomato Soup’.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern”][vc_column width=”1/4″][vc_single_image image=”4217″ img_size=”300×300″ alignment=”center” onclick=”link_image” qode_css_animation=””][vc_column_text]

Double Scoop ‘Mandarin’

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Sombrero ‘Adobe Orange’

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]Orange Coneflowers

Orange coneflowers compete with red coneflowers for that hot look but there are no losers here! Plant them both together for a vibrant treat. Look for Sombrero ‘Adobe Orange’, Double Scoop ‘Mandarin’, and ‘Tiki Torch’.

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‘Cleopatra’

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Sombrero ‘Lemon Yellow’

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]Yellow Coneflowers

So many to choose from in the yellow category. Whether you like single, double, or fluffy flowers, you’ll find what you want in the coneflower world. Look for ‘Cleopatra’, ‘Now Cheesier’, Sombrero ‘Lemon Yellow’, Double Scoop ‘Lemon Cream’ and ‘Maui Sunshine’.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern”][vc_column width=”1/4″][vc_single_image image=”4215″ img_size=”300×300″ alignment=”center” onclick=”link_image” qode_css_animation=””][vc_column_text]

‘Green Jewel’

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‘Raspberry Truffle’

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]Other Colors

Novelty has come to the coneflowers! Breeding has continued to move along rapidly revealing truly unique colors and forms you won’t see in any other plant. Look for ‘Raspberry Truffle’, ‘Green Jewel’, and Sombrero ‘Hot Coral’.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row]