Prairies would be incomplete without coneflowers. Hardy, drought-resistant and long-blooming natives of eastern North America, they are cultivated in an ever-expanding color palette. At least one variety of flowers can be found in almost every garden. Coneflowers germinate in three to four weeks and produce leaves in three months if planted in the early spring (after the last frost). However, it can take up to two years for coneflowers to bloom.
By far, the most popular variety of coneflower is purple or Echinacea purpurea. Due to its fibrous root system, it is more adaptable to garden conditions and more forgiving of dividing and transplanting than other native species, which have long taproots and woody crowns
The daisy-like blooms of the coneflower are actually made up of several small flowers with sterile petals that attract insects to the numerous fertile flowers in the central disk or cone of the plant.. Bees and butterflies love nectar-rich flowers like these. Coneflowers are also loved by hummingbirds and finches, who eat the seeds and disperse them.
Periodicity of Full Bloom
Between June and October, coneflowers are at their peak of blooming power. For a stunning display of blooming flowers, a thick layer of green foliage illuminating them from below provides the perfect backdrop. Between 4 and 8 inches, wide are the petals of coneflowers, depending on the variety. To keep aphids out of the garden, coneflowers use summer’s extended sunlight period to produce these large blossoms that attract beneficial insects like soldier beetles.
Considerations for Color
If you live in an area that experiences hot spells during the summer, the coneflower plant appreciates some dappled shade in order to preserve the stunning color of its blossoms. There is a downside to too much shade for coneflowers, however. The leaves of the plant can’t produce enough energy through photosynthesis to produce beautiful flowers when there isn’t enough sunlight. In reality, you may only get a few small flowers or none at all from your garden. Taproots of coneflowers extend far down into the soil, allowing the plant to survive the hot summer days and produce its best flowers.
Deadheading
Gardeners who want to extend the blooming period of their plants should remove some of the flowers from their plants. Cut coneflowers will bloom again in the early fall if you remove their flowerheads early in the summer after they have finished blooming; plants that are not deadheaded only produce summer blooms. By deadheading all of your coneflowers after blooming in the early summer, you’ll be rewarded with a stunning fall bloom display. Summer and fall blooms are yours to choose, or you can pick just one season to enjoy a concentrated display of colorful blooms.
Care for the Purple Coneflower
While purple coneflowers thrive in USDA hardiness zones three through nine, you may want to provide them with some winter protection in their first year if you live somewhere particularly cold. Coneflowers, on the other hand, are tough and resilient once established.
It is possible to propagate new plants by dividing established ones. Stem cuttings can also be used, but with less success. Obtaining one is as simple as visiting a local garden center or ordering one through the mail. Throughout the first frost, coneflowers will bloom again and again. They begin blooming in the early summer. After their initial bloom period, they may take a break, but they will quickly produce new flower buds.
Light
Plant your purple coneflowers where they will receive at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight each day for the best results (and sturdiest plants). There is a chance that the plants will eventually fall over and the blooms will be less abundant in partial shade.
Soil
Coneflowers thrive in soil with a pH of 6.5 to 7.0, which is considered neutral by most gardening experts. Sand, rock, and clay soils are all suitable for their growth. However, wet or mucky soils are not ideal for them. The best way to ensure that your coneflowers get off to a successful start is to incorporate compost into your planting mixture.
Water
Many people believe that coneflowers are drought-resistant plants, but they actually perform better when watered on a regular basis. After the first week of planting, reduce the amount of water applied to an inch per week for the remainder of the first year. Drought conditions may only necessitate additional watering for mature plants.
Humidity and Temperature
Purple coneflower, a native prairie plant, does best in dry, hot climates, but it can tolerate wide swings in temperature and humidity. Despite this, they do not fare as well in areas with a lot of rain or in humid climates where the soil is constantly saturated.
Fertilizer
Coneflowers do best in soils rich in organic matter, but if they receive too much additional fertilizer, they may become leggy. Adding compost to the soil in the spring provides plants with the nutrients they need to thrive.
It’s time to cut back the Purple Coneflower!
Although pruning purple coneflower can be beneficial, it is not required. Shearing back the plants in the spring will result in bushier plants that bloom longer into the season if you leave them standing through the winter.
Deadheading coneflowers are the most important part of their care. You can keep them blooming all summer long by regularly deadheading them (remove the dead flowers from the living plants).
A single flower can be in bloom for weeks at a time, beginning to open at the very top of the stem. It is common practice to see more side shoots and buds appear as the primary flower dries out. You’ll keep getting more flowers if you keep the plants deadheaded, so do it. Additionally, the procedure will help to prevent the plant from self-seeding excessively.
Purple Coneflower Seed Growing Instructions
Purple coneflowers can be grown from seed quite easily. You can save the seed by waiting for the dried cone to be a darker shade of brown and stiff to the touch. Because the seeds are clinging to the sharp spines, you’ll want to remove them from the cone while wearing gloves. Before storing, allow them to dry completely on a paper plate or screen.
Cold stratification is the most effective method for germinating the seeds. Sowing them on the ground or in milk jugs in the fall is the most convenient method. Seeds should be planted in a moist seed starting mixture and kept in the refrigerator for eight to ten weeks to mimic the chilling period. When you’re done, remove the plants and plant them as usual. Make sure to plant the seeds about half an inch deep and cover them with soil so that they can germinate. They should start sprouting in 10-14 days if all goes according to plan. Once the seedlings appear, move the seeds under grow lights that are about an inch or two above the plant.
Typical Insects and Diseases
Coneflowers, for the most part, have few issues. There should be no fungal disease problems if the plants are given plenty of room for air movement. You can cut the leaves back and let them regrow if you see mildew or spots on them. Be on the lookout for pests like Japanese beetles and leafhoppers, as well as aphids and aphid larvae.
Aster yellows, a systemic plant disease that causes flower growth deformities, should also be on your radar. Flowers from a wide range of families can be affected, not just asters. Since sap-sucking insects like leafhoppers spread it and there is no known cure, infected plants should be removed and destroyed as soon as possible to protect other nearby plants.
Enticement to the Birds
Even after their petals have faded and wilted, fall-blooming coneflowers continue to attract birds with their upright stem and attached seeds. Consequently, your backyard becomes a birdwatcher’s dream come true while also aiding in the natural reproduction process. The seeds of the coneflower are dispersed by birds after they eat them. You can leave the plant’s dead stems in place all winter long until spring arrives. Taking the stalks off the plant in the spring helps it conserve energy for the summer flowers that will follow.
