Growing Coneflowers (Echinacea)

They’re beautiful, fragrant, and easy to grow: What’s not to love about growing coneflowers?

Also known as echinacea, coneflowers are a fantastic flower choice if you’re a gardening beginner, live in a warm climate, or if you find yourself irresistibly drawn to plants whose vibrant colors inspire names like Flame Thrower, Double Scoop Cranberry, and Razzmatazz.

These perennial wildflowers have more to offer than good looks though. They also attract pollinators like butterflies and birds. Many of them have medicinal purposes, too. When made into tea, tinctures, and extracts, echinacea can help ease sore throats, act as an antioxidant, and lower blood sugar levels. Some studies have found echinacea might help protect the body against certain types of cancer, too.

Impress your friends: Know the differences between echinacea and rudbeckia

As you learn more about these flowers, you might notice that two species of plants are commonly known as coneflowers: echinacea and rudbeckia. Both species are in the same family, the Asteraceae, but there are not the same plants.

Echinacea

Appearance: It typically has a distinctive, prominent central cone surrounded by drooping petals. The cone is usually spiky (in fact, its name comes from the Greek word echino, meaning hedgehog) and it can be orange, brown, or red. Its petals come in such colors as purple, pink, white, and yellow.

Species: The most common species is Echinacea purpurea (purple coneflower), but there are several other species like Echinacea pallida and Echinacea angustifolia.

Medicinal uses: As we mentioned, echinacea is well-known for its medicinal properties.

Rudbeckia

Appearance: Rudbeckia has more than one nickname. Some people refer to this plant as a coneflower, but it’s also known as black-eyed Susan. Like echinacea, rudbeckia has a central cone, but it’s flatter and brown or black. The flower’s petals are usually bright yellow or gold and radiate outward.

Species: Rudbeckia hirta is the most well-known species. Others include Rudbeckia fulgida and Rudbeckia triloba.

Ornamental use: While Rudbeckia doesn’t have the same medicinal reputation as echinacea, it is highly valued for its ornamental qualities and its ability to attract pollinators.

For the rest of this blog, we’re going to focus on echinacea.

Planning your coneflower garden

If you’d like to add some Razzmatazz (or other coneflower varieties) to your garden, here are some tips to help you get started.

One of your first considerations will be location. Coneflowers thrive in full sun, so the ideal spot for them will get six to eight hours of direct sunlight each day. (If full sunlight isn’t an option, the good news is echinacea will tolerate light shade, but they will need at least four hours of sunlight a day.)

In addition to light, put some thought into the soil conditions you’ll be providing. Coneflowers like slightly acidic to neutral pH levels. You can do a soil test to determine your soil’s condition and amend it as necessary. Adding elemental sulfur, aluminum sulfate, or organic matter can help lower soil pH over time. Working in agricultural lime, wood ash, or baking soda can help increase the soil pH.

Before you plant, work compost or well-rotted manure into your garden soil to improve its fertility and structure.

Selecting coneflowers: tips and varieties

Here are some tips to keep in mind as you consider which coneflowers you’d like in your garden. First of all, look for varieties that will thrive in your local climate. Most coneflowers thrive in USDA Hardiness Zones 3-9. You can find your zone online.

And consider what you want to achieve with your coneflowers. Are you looking to attract pollinators, create a show-stopping visual display, or use your plants for medicinal purposes? Once you figure out your goals, finding good fits among the wealth of varieties available to you will be easier.

Here are some popular coneflower options:

Echinacea purpurea (Purple Coneflower): The classic coneflower with large, purple-pink petals and a prominent orange-brown cone.

• Hardiness Zones: 3-9
• Bloom time: Mid-summer to early fall
• Benefits: Attracts pollinators, medicinal uses, easy to grow
  
  

Cheyenne Spirit: Comes in a mix of vibrant colors including red, orange, yellow, purple, and white.

• Hardiness Zones: 4-9
• Bloom time: Mid-summer to early fall
• Benefits: Great for adding a burst of color to the garden, drought-tolerant

Green Envy: Unique green petals that transition to pink near the center with a dark cone.

• Hardiness Zones: 4-9
• Bloom time: Mid-summer to early fall
• Benefits: Unusual color makes it a standout in any garden

Razzmatazz: Double blooms with layers of bright pink petals and a central pom-pom.

• Hardiness Zones: 4-9
• Bloom time: Mid-summer to early fall
• Benefits: Eye-catching and unique flower shape

Double Scoop Cranberry: features double blooms with deep, rich cranberry-red petals surrounding a central cone.

(Similar options include Double Scoop Orangeberry, with bright orange petals with a hint of berry at the base; Double Scoop Raspberry with raspberry-pink petals; and Double Scoop Bubblegum with vivid pink petals.)

• Hardiness Zones: 4-9
• Bloom time: Mid-summer to early fall
• Benefits: Eye-catching petals are perfect for creating a focal point in the garden

Flame Thrower: Features vivid orange petals with a hint of red near the center, radiating from a prominent dark cone.

• Hardiness Zones: 4-9
• Bloom time: Mid-summer to early fall
• Benefits: Fiery colors add warmth and excitement to gardens

Planting Tips

The ideal time to plant coneflowers is spring or early fall when temperatures are mild.

To plant seedlings, dig a hole twice as wide and just as deep as the plant’s root ball. Place the plant in the hole so that the top of the root ball is level with the surrounding soil.

Water your newly planted coneflowers thoroughly and keep the soil moist until they’re established.

Use a balanced, slow-release fertilizer to promote healthy growth. We also recommend applying a layer of organic mulch around your plants to help retain moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature.

Caring for your coneflowers

A few tips to keep in mind once your plants are established:

• Watering: Check your soil about 6-8 inches below the surface and water when dry.
• Deadheading: Remove spent flowers to encourage continuous blooming.
• Dividing: Every three to four years, divide the clumps of coneflowers to prevent overcrowding and rejuvenate the plants.