![]() ![]() I prefer to leave the foliage intact so it is easier to identify in the spring. Although you can cut the foliage back once it has been killed by frost, these plants are attractive and hold their shape throughout the winter. Allow the last blooms of the season to go to seed as echinacea self sows nicely.Use cuttings for cut flowers. Echinacea makes a wonderful cut flower and adds a splash of color to mixed bouquets, but is equally as impressive in the garden.With regular dead heading, purple cone flower will continue to bloom throughout the summer. ![]() Deadhead blooms as soon as they begin to fade to encourage new blooms and prolong the blooming season.Weed around the base of the plant to keep weeds at bay. I prefer to let purple cone flower grow naturally to encourage spreading. ![]() Mulch around the base of the plant to keep the soil moist and reduce weeds if preferred, but realize that mulch may prevent the plant from spreading in future years.An application of high phosphorus fertilizer just prior to blooming encourages large, brightly colored blooms. Apply water soluble fertilizer for blooming plants as soon as the seedlings are 4 inches high. Keep the soil moist until seedlings emerge and are fully established.Scatter seeds on well cultivated soil and cover lightly. These hardy plants withstand spring frosts and are often several inches high before other flowers emerge in the spring. Start echinacea purpurea from seed in the early spring.Although they may survive in a shadier area, echinacea loves the sun and does best when planted in an area that receives plenty of afternoon sun. An area that receives 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight a day is ideal. Select a sunny locationfor purple cone flowers.It’s never a challenge to find suitable companion plants for coneflowers, and with these perspectives, you’ll always make the most of having them in your backyard. Standing tall and proud, the coneflower offers vivid summertime hues while helping the entire garden thrive. Meanwhile, nearby trees could block the sun for extended periods, leading to poor flower growth.Īn easy-going wildflower or cottage garden wouldn’t be complete without the unmistakable shuttlecock forms of the native coneflower. Acid-loving fruit plants like blueberries may benefit from the extra pollination, but your coneflowers won’t see the best growth. Though tolerant of most growing conditions, they prefer full sun and neutral pH soil. The primary consideration is the coneflowers themselves. The deep taproot and clumping growth mean coneflowers can pull moisture in dry soil and won’t encroach on other plants. Bees and butterflies will ensure abundant growth, and predatory insects like ladybugs will keep losses to a minimum.įrom ornamental grasses to crisp garden veggies, countless plants can benefit from nearby coneflowers. Their tolerance for a vast range of soil types means you can plant them in rich, moist soil alongside garden favorites like cabbage, broccoli, and eggplant. ![]() But in a cutting garden, it adds a perfect complement and excellent pest resistance.Ĭoneflower & Vegetable Companion PlantingĪs an essential lure for numerous beneficial bugs during the summer, coneflowers can help your pollinator-dependent veggies thrive. It may need extra attention due to its tendency to spread and crowd out competition. It appreciates rich soil to give it a head start, but you shouldn’t see any issues with its spread if your other plants need poorer soil. Yarrow thrives in dry conditions like other native wildflowers. Tons of tiny blooms emerge in abundant clusters amid long, narrow stems and fern-like foliage during early to late summer. Subtle and delicate, yarrow is a garden-brightening filler that allows coneflowers to take center stage. ![]()
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