![]() ![]() For a wide selection of varieties, try a seed source such as Ornamental Edibles.Īdd fall color to your garden with asters, chrysanthemums, gaillardia, gloriosa daisy, Japanese anemone, lion’s tail, purple coneflower, and salvia. (Some, such as freesias, homeria, and watsonia, are not hardy in zones 1 and 2.) In mild climates, chill crocus, hyacinths, and tulips in the refrigerator for about six weeks before planting, keeping them away from fruits and veggies, which can thwart bulb development.Ĭool-season greens like arugula, chard, kale, lettuce, and mustard are some of the easiest vegetables to grow from seed and have much better flavor than store-bought types. Plant anemones, crocus, daffodils, Dutch iris, freesias, homeria, hyacinths, ixia, leucojum, lycoris, oxalis, Peruvian scilla, ranunculus, sparaxis, tritonia, tulips, and watsonia. Shop soon for the best selection of healthy bulbs choose firm ones without soft or moldy spots. In coastal areas, try cineraria, nemesia, and schizanthus. Set out calendula, forget-me-nots, Iceland and Shirley poppies, ornamental cabbage and kale, pansies, primrose, stock, sweet peas, and violas. Keep the soil moist while plants develop and, if weather is hot, temporarily shade new seedlings. Give cool-season annuals a strong start by planting after midmonth in cooler areas and at the end of the month in warm inland locations ( Sunset climate zones 7-9, 14-17). Most nurseries are well stocked now with trees, shrubs, vines, and groundcovers. This rejuvenates the plant and often produces a new display of beautiful blooms that last until frost.Ĭoneflower care is as simple as that and the plants will reward you with abundant flowering each and every year thereafter.September marks the beginning of fall planting season-the ideal time to get many plants into the ground. When late summer blooms of the purple coneflower begin to look tired or ragged, cut the plant back by a third. If flowers are small or poorly developed, try working in a small amount of well composted material in the soil around the plants. Purple coneflower plants are drought resistant and often thrive in dry summers.Ĭoneflower care may include limited fertilization, but this is often not needed. In seasons with normal rainfall, additional watering is not necessary. ![]() Once planted and established, learning how to care for coneflowers is easy. Growing purple coneflower from seeds is easy enough for the beginning gardener, while long-time gardeners delight in the ease of how to care for coneflowers. Root division should be limited to every three to four years. Younger coneflower plants may not have developed a root system that is extensive enough for division. Only plants that have been in the ground for three years or longer should be divided. Division: Purple coneflower plants may be started from root division in fall.Alternately, planting purple coneflower seeds in autumn, in areas with cold winters, allows the seeds to chill naturally. ![]() Those in areas where temperatures remain warm year long may want to try this technique. Professional growers believe stratification (chilling) of the seeds for a few weeks, after they are planted in moist soil, produces a more abundant bloom when growing purple coneflowers. Place a brown paper bag over the seed head, turn right side up, and let seeds drop into the bag. Seeds: If you wish to collect seeds for next year’s crop of purple coneflower plants, do so before the birds have eaten all the seeds.Purple coneflower plants may be started from seed or root division: In more southern areas, morning sun may facilitate the best performance, with late afternoon shade protecting the plants from burning. ![]() Full sun is defined as at least six hours of sun each day. When planting purple coneflower, locate them in a full sun area. Rich or heavily amended soil may result in lush foliage and poor flowering. Purple coneflower plants grow best in poor or lean soil. The sturdy stalks, which may reach 5 feet (1.5 m.) in height, rarely bend or require staking for an upright appearance.Ĭoneflower plants may actually display pink flowers, when the cultivar Echinacea purpurea ‘Pink Double Delight’ is planted. The plant also provides a tall background or repeating rows of large, often 6 inches (15 cm.) across, purple, daisy-like flowers. Planting purple coneflower ( Echinacea purpurea) in the garden or flower bed draws bees and butterflies, ensuring that nearby plants have plenty of pollinators. A native to the eastern United States, purple coneflowers are found in many flower gardens. ![]()
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