Growing Coneflowers at Home: A Beginner’s Guide

Coneflowers are one of the most popular perennials for home gardens. Their brightly colored blooms and ability to thrive with minimal care make them an excellent choice for beginners. This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know to be successful in growing coneflowers at home.

Why Grow Coneflowers?

Coneflowers offer home gardeners many benefits that make them a joy to cultivate.

Stunning Flowers that Attract Pollinators

Coneflowers produce vibrant daisy-like blooms in shades of purple, pink, white, and yellow that brighten any garden. Their nectar-rich flowers also attract butterflies, bees, hummingbirds, and other pollinators. Planting coneflowers helps support your local ecosystem by providing food sources for these important creatures.

Some of the most popular coneflower varieties that attract pollinators include:

• Echinacea purpurea – The classic purple coneflower, loved by butterflies and bees.
• Echinacea ‘Cheyenne Spirit’ – Blooms in a mix of colors to attract diverse pollinators.
• Echinacea ‘Hot Papaya’ – Bold orange blooms that draw in hummingbirds.
• Echinacea ‘Green Jewel’ – A later bloomer to extend the pollinator season.

By incorporating a range of coneflower varieties and colors into your garden, you can create a pollinator haven that helps sustain bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds all season long. The more diverse the coneflowers, the more diverse the visitors!

Low Maintenance & Drought Resistant

Once established, coneflowers require very little care and are resistant to drought – perfect qualities for busy gardeners. The deep taproot characteristic of coneflowers allows them to access moisture and nutrients deep in the soil. This makes them tougher than average when dealing with heat, drought, and poor soil conditions.

Some tips for keeping your coneflowers thriving with minimal effort:

• Select a sunny, well-draining spot in your garden and amend the soil with compost at planting time.
• Allow ample space between plants for good airflow.
• Water young plants for the first season until established. Then water only during extended dry periods.
• Avoid over-fertilizing, as coneflowers thrive without a lot of extra nutrients.
• Cut plants back to the ground after frost and clean up debris to prevent disease.

For gardeners looking for beautiful, fuss-free flowers, coneflowers are the perfect pick. Once settled in, they’ll gracefully withstand heat waves, dry spells, and humidity with aplomb.

Adaptable Flowers for Diverse Planting Locations

One of the best qualities of coneflowers is their adaptability to diverse planting locations. Here are some of the many garden spots where coneflowers can thrive:

• Borders and beds – With their upright growth habit, coneflowers make great border or bedding plants. Use the taller varieties as bold background plants.
• Cutting gardens – The prolific blooms work beautifully in designated cutting flower gardens. Harvest throughout the season for fresh bouquets.
• Pollinator gardens – Coneflowers attract bees, butterflies and hummingbirds, making them ideal for gardens meant to nourish pollinators.
• Native gardens – Many coneflower species are native to North America and are perfect additions to native plant gardens.
• Container gardens – Dwarf and compact coneflower varieties adapt well to pots and planters. Keep them well-watered.
• Cottage gardens – The informal, cheery look of coneflowers suits them to charming cottage-style gardens.
• Rock gardens – Some species like purple coneflower thrive in rock gardens with lean, well-draining soil.

No matter your garden style or planting goals, there’s likely a coneflower that will flourish there and add its vibrant color and shape.

A Guide to Growing Coneflowers at home

With the right location and a little TLC, it’s easy to grow lush coneflowers.

Selecting the Right Location & Preparing the Soil

When selecting the ideal spot for planting coneflowers, keep these factors in mind:

Sunlight: Coneflowers thrive in full sun – aim for at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day. Areas with some afternoon shade are suitable too.

Soil drainage: Excellent drainage is key, as coneflowers are prone to root rot in heavy, soggy soils. Choose elevated areas or amend soil with compost to improve drainage.

Soil pH: Coneflowers prefer slightly acidic soil in the pH range of 6.0-7.0. Test soil pH before planting and amend accordingly.

Air circulation: Allow ample airflow around plants to prevent powdery mildew and other fungal diseases.

Proximity to other plants: Consider mature sizes to prevent overcrowding and allow blooms to shine.

When preparing the soil, loosen and break up any compacted areas. Mix in 2-4 inches of compost or well-aged manure to optimize nutrition and drainage. Top dress with an organic fertilizer if soil is very poor. Creating optimal growing conditions by prepping the soil will give your coneflowers the best start.

Choosing Varieties & Planting

With numerous sizes, colors and bloom-times, there are coneflower varieties suited for every garden. Some top choices include:

• ‘Magnus’ – A classic tall purple coneflower growing 3-4 feet high.
• ‘Kim’s Knee High’ – A dwarf variety that blooms profusely at just 2 feet. Perfect for containers.
• ‘Green Jewel’ – Unique lime-green blooms that shine in shady beds.
• ‘Cheyenne Spirit’ – Blooms in stunning shades of pinks, purples, reds and yellows.
• ‘Hot Papaya’ – Bold orange blooms on sturdy 2-3 foot plants.
• ‘Tomato Soup’ – Vibrant red petals surrounding a dark brown center.
• ‘Fatal Attraction’ – Unique green-yellow petals that turn deep burgundy red.
• ‘White Swan’ – A pristine white coneflower that brightens shady areas.
• ‘Sombrero Lemon Yellow’ – Prolific lemon yellow blooms atop sturdy 24-30 inch stems.

For best results when growing coneflowers at home, choose coneflowers suited to your specific growing conditions and design needs. Plant in spring as young starts or sow seeds directly in prepared soil. Space plants 18-24 inches apart to allow for growth. Water well after planting and provide plenty of sun.

Ongoing Care

With some simple seasonal care, coneflowers will thrive in gardens year after year.

Watering & Fertilizing

Although drought tolerant, coneflowers bloom best with consistent moisture. Provide around 1 inch of water per week. Allow soil to dry somewhat between waterings. Apply a balanced flower fertilizer monthly through spring and summer for abundant blooms.

Deadheading & Pruning

Deadheading spent blooms regularly encourages repeat blooming. Using pruners, cut back to right above a set of leaves. After frost, prune plants back close to the ground to remove dead growth.

Staking

Some tall or floppy coneflower varieties may require staking to stay upright, especially in windy areas. Use bamboo stakes and soft plant ties to gently support stems without injuring plants.

Pest & Disease Control

Coneflowers are relatively pest and disease resistant. However, potential issues to watch for include:

• Aphids – Control by hosing off with water or use insecticidal soap.
• Powdery Mildew – Improve air circulation and avoid wetting foliage. Apply neem oil.
• Rust – Remove infected leaves promptly and destroy. Avoid overhead watering.

To prevent issues, provide good growing conditions and ensure plants have proper drainage and air flow. Inspect regularly and address any problems early. Choosing resistant varieties as a preventative measure is also recommended.

Dividing & Propagating

Every 3-4 years, divide overgrown coneflower clumps in spring or fall to rejuvenate plants. It also provides an easy way to propagate more coneflower plants for free!

To divide:

1. Use a shovel or garden fork to dig up the entire clump. Keep as much root as possible.
2. Gently pull or cut the root mass into smaller sections using a clean knife.
3. Replant divisions into prepared soil and water well.

Divisions and plant cuttings will grow into mature, blooming plants in 1-2 seasons. Growing coneflowers from seed also works well, though it takes more time and care.

Regional Growing Tips

Tips for growing coneflowers at home can vary depending on your hardiness zone and regional climate.

In hot climates:

• Plant in part shade to help coneflowers cope with intense summer heat.
• Mulch around plants to retain soil moisture longer.
• Provide consistent water to help plants thrive.

In humid climates:

• Allow for ample airflow around plants to discourage fungal diseases.
• Choose coneflower species native to your region as they are adapted to the humidity.
• Avoid overhead watering and wetting foliage to prevent mildew.

In cold climates:

• Select cold-hardy coneflower species and varieties suited for your zone.
• Plant in spring to allow time for plants to establish before winter.
• Mulch thickly over roots before winter to insulate from cold temperatures.

In coastal or windy areas:

• Stake tall coneflowers if needed to prevent toppling.
• Site coneflowers in a protected, sheltered area of your garden.
• Choose compact, sturdy varieties that better withstand winds.

Adjusting your coneflower care and choices according to your climate will lead to better success. Consult with local nurseries for the best regional growing tips.

The Joys of Growing Coneflowers

Beyond their good looks and low-care nature, coneflowers offer the joys of long blooming seasons and bountiful cut flowers.

Understanding Bloom Times

Most coneflowers start blooming in early to mid-summer and continue into fall. Stagger planting varieties with different bloom times for nonstop color. Here are bloom times for some popular varieties:

• Early season – Echinacea ‘Cheyenne Spirit’, Echinacea ‘Sensation Mix’
• Mid-season – Echinacea purpurea, Echinacea ‘Magnus’
• Late season – Echinacea ‘Green Jewel’, Echinacea ‘Harvest Moon’

Many modern coneflower hybrids have been bred for extended bloom periods. Choose continuously blooming varieties like the Big Sky or Sombrero series for months of flowers.

Creating Beautiful Bouquets

The long-lasting flowers and striking colors make coneflowers stars of fresh and dried floral designs. For bouquets, cut stems early in the day while blooms are freshest. Remove any leaves that would fall below the waterline. Recut stems and place immediately in clean water.

Coneflowers pair beautifully with garden roses, zinnias, dahlias, and sunflowers in arrangements. Mix with filler greenery like solidago, ferns, or astilbe for texture.

To dry coneflowers for everlasting arrangements:

• Cut stems when flowers are newly opened.
• Hang stems upside down in a dry, well-ventilated area.
• Once dried, use strong stems and wires to create stunning dried coneflower wreaths, bouquets, and wall art.

With their vibrant blooms, pollinator power, and ease of care, coneflowers bring lasting joy to gardens. Follow this guide for gardening success with these charming perennial flowers.

Coneflowers for Cutting Gardens

With their long vase life and eye-catching colors, coneflowers are ideal choices for designated cutting gardens. Here are some top varieties to grow for fresh-cut blooms:

• ‘Magnus’ – Large purple blooms on tall, sturdy 36-48 inch stems
• ‘Tomato Soup’ – Unique red petals that retain color well in arrangements
• ‘Green Envy’ – Lime green petals surround a green center – very striking
• ‘Double Scoop Cranberry’ – Fully double cranberry-red blossoms up to 5 inches wide
• ‘Cheyenne Spirit’ – Stunning bicolor blooms in red, orange, purple, pink and yellow
• ‘Sombrero Adobe Orange’ – Vibrant orange-red flowers that complement many bouquet colors

When planting a cutting garden, space coneflowers 18-24 inches apart for good air circulation. Deadhead regularly for maximum blooms. Harvest flowers by cutting stems when blooms are half open.

Landscaping with Coneflowers

Coneflowers are versatile perennial plants perfect for adding vibrant color to gardens and landscapes. Here are some landscaping tips for using coneflowers effectively:

Accent Plants: Use coneflowers as specimen plants to accent focal points like garden entrances, benches, or trellises. Plant in groups of 3-5 for impact.

Borders: Taller coneflower varieties like ‘Magnus’ make excellent back-border plants, while dwarfs work nicely along front borders.

Containers: Plant compact coneflowers in pots and planters on patios, porches, and along walkways. They bring cheery color to container plantings.

Pollinator Gardens: Coneflowers attract and nourish bees, butterflies and hummingbirds. Plant drifts of them in designated pollinator gardens.

Cutting Gardens: Grow coneflowers en masse in cutting gardens for their beautiful blooms. ‘Magnus’ and ‘Tomato Soup’ are two cutting favorites.

Native Gardens: Many coneflowers are native to North America and are perfect additions to native plant gardens.

With proper placement and design, coneflowers can elevate gardens and landscapes with their spectacular colors and shapes. Get creative with these classic perennials by growing coneflowers at home now!