Elegant Echinaceas: Part 2

Sister to 'Orange Meadowbrite' is another Chicago Botanic Garden introduction, 'Mango Meadowbrite'. Similar in form to 'Orange Meadowbrite', this coneflower has a pale peachy-mango yellow tone to it that is hard to describe. It is hardy into zone 4, so will do well in our region.

Think that's all there is? Not yet! There are other breeders hopping onto the bandwagon, too. Here are even more new echinaceas:

Terra Nova Nurseries has a wonderful white echinacea called 'Fragrant Angel' . As its name suggests, this coneflower has good fragrance. It has white petals of good substance surrounding an orange-yellow cone. In a mass planting of the various types of coneflowers, it would provide a great tie-in for all the other colors available.

'Prarie Frost' is another Terra Nova Nurseries introduction. This coneflower was discovered and further developed by Alan Costa. Everything is classic purple coneflower about this plant except it has variegated foliage! Cream edges to the green foliage offers surprising contrast to a beloved favorite.

'Ruby Giant' is another recent introduction from Dan Heims of Terra Nova Nurseries. With bright rosy-pink flowers, recurved and fragrant, this introduction is yet another to add to the collection of new, improved coneflowers.

'Vintage Wine' is another E. purpuera hybrid developed by Holland's Piet Oudolf. A bit different in form, it has shorter petals than one would expect from the classic coneflower, but its color is a deep wine-rose and compliments other echinaceas.

'Razzmatazz' is a truly different echinacea in flower form. The best way to describe it is daisy meets dahlia. The lower part of the flower head has the classic purple flat petals we all know and love in coneflowers with the top sporting a pom-pom like appearance. Very pretty, very unusual!

'Doubledecker' or 'Doppelganger' is just what its name suggests: A double-deckered/tiered coneflower. Very unusual, it was a chance seedling found in a German garden. Not only does the plant have the type of petals and color of regular purple coneflowers, it also has another set of petals growing from the top of the cone. Generally, the double-decker effect doesn't take place until the second or third year of growth, so some patience is needed. Very unusual and tall.

All of these cultivars and hybrids will grow well in our region, which is within the range of native habitat for the various species of echinacea. Full sun to very partial shade, well-drained, organic soil of good fertility are required. While establishing them, keep them watered, but be careful not to overwater. Once established, they require little additional care other than occasionally watering them in times of extreme dry spells. They are a perfect addition to the xeriscape garden and require little care. Keep flower heads snipped as they fade until late fall. Then, let the flower heads or cones remain until the following spring as an added food source for overwintering birds. Most of the newer hybrids will not be guaranteed to come true from seed, so propogation involves dividing a plant after it is a matured clump, perhaps four years or so down the road. Divide the plant in spring or late summer and be sure that the resulting divisions have both roots and stems. Plant in organic, rich soil and keep moist but not overwatered until established. Coneflowers do not compete well with weeds, so keep weeds out of their area!

There are many more introductions and developments in coneflowers. Some are improvements on an old garden favorite, including dwarf and miniature varieties. Look to the future to bring multicolored flowers and even more exciting hues in an old favorite. Spice up your late summer garden by adding a few of these new coneflowers! I am sure you will be pleased with the results, and the birds and butterflies will appreciate it, too!