Coneflower, scientific name Echinacea purpurea, is a herbaceous perennial wildflower that is indigenous to North America. Because of its bright green foliage and sizable, daisy-like flowers, which bloom from July to autumn, it is extensively planted in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 3 to 9. According to Cornell University’s Growing Guide, coneflowers can also be propagated via root cuttings even though seeds or divisions are the ideal methods. If kept in warm, sunny conditions, the echinacea cuttings will establish new roots in just a few weeks; however, they must be taken at the proper time of year to guarantee healthy, fruitful development.
How are purple coneflowers grown from seeds?
- Make a paper towel damp. A paper towel is folded in half.
- Consider the Seeds. Coneflower seeds should be scattered over half of the paper towel.
- Cleaning the pots With wet potting soil, fill seedling pots that are 8 inches deep.
- Plant seeds.
- Wrap the Pots.
- Take the Bag away.
- The seedlings should be planted.
- The coneflowers need water.
How are purple coneflowers divided?
Your coneflowers seem to be getting rather large. While the remainder of the plant appears healthy, are the cores dying? You might consider dividing your Echinacea purpurea. Even though splitting a plant in half may appear weird, dividing perennials is relatively simple. You may effectively divide your plants using my step-by-step instructions and video!
Every three to five years, Echinacea purpurea can be divided. Dig up the root mass in the early spring or the late fall. The root mass can be divided into two or three pieces with a shovel, pruning saw, or gardener’s knife. Place the pieces inside a damp towel. The root fragments should be planted right away at the same depth as they were taken, then watered.
Coneflowers: Do they self-seed?
Despite the fact that the majority of us would want to spend the entire day in our gardens, real life interferes. Instead, we choose simple, low-maintenance plants that, despite only requiring a few minutes here and there of care, give the impression that we spent hours in the garden. Coneflower is a plant that I frequently recommend since it can withstand poor soil, extreme heat, drought, full sun to part shade, and it blooms continually whether you deadhead it or not.
Aren’t coneflowers sounding quite good right now? Getting better Echinacea attracts and feeds pollinators and a variety of butterflies when it is in bloom (such as Fritillaries, Swallowtails, Skippers, Viceroy, Red Admiral, American Lady, Painted Lady, and Silvery Checkerspot).
After they stop blooming, their seed-covered “cones serve as a valuable source of food for many birds from late summer to winter (such as goldfinches, chickadees, blue jays, cardinals, and pine siskins). Therefore, when people ask me about deadheading Echinacea plants, I normally advise them to only do it during the flowering period in order to keep the plant looking lovely, but to leave fallen flowers in the late summer to early winter for the birds.
In order to stop Echinacea from reseeding itself all over the garden, you can also deadhead it. Older forms of coneflower can self-seed, though not quite as aggressively as Rudbeckia. Newer hybrids typically do not self-sow and do not generate viable seed. Birds aren’t really interested in these more recent hybrids either.
Coneflowers should be divided, right?
Coneflowers are best moved or transplanted in the early spring, when the earth is just starting to warm up and soften. In the early fall, when temperatures are cooler and the sun is not as intense as it is in the summer, they can also be transplanted. Coneflower transplanting should not be done in the summer.
After allowing them to mature for around three or four years, you can divide your coneflowers and transfer them. Or, you can frequently transfer a whole plant from one location in your yard to another. You should have no trouble replanting your coneflowers as long as you take care to do it at the appropriate time of year and are able to obtain enough of the healthy root system for a successful transplant.
Coneflowers generally tolerate drought because of their extensive tap roots. The roots of Echinacea purpurea have been found to extend five feet deep! Coneflowers should be divided and transplanted after being dug up as deeply as possible to preserve as much of the root system as possible. Although you won’t be able to collect the entire root system, your transplant should be fine as long as you can get around a foot of root development.
Once you have separated and prepared to transplant your coneflower plant, proceed as instructed in the “Steps to Plant Coneflowers” section above.
Can coneflower seeds be saved?
Take up the challenge of growing coneflowers from seed. Coneflower seeds are fairly obvious in gardens. They are hidden inside the sharp, spherical balls that remain when flower petals wilt. Echinacea seeds aren’t difficult to gather, and with the right techniques, they’re even simpler to grow. Find out how to collect and nurture coneflower seeds.
The garden is awash in a variety of flower hues and plant sizes thanks to modern coneflower cultivars. However, it’s a good idea to start with one of the straight species, such purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) or Tennessee coneflower, if you intend to grow coneflower seeds (Echinacea tennesseensis). Strong viability means that there is a good chance that these coneflower seeds will sprout.
Many contemporary hybrids’ echinacea seeds are only partially viable and occasionally sprout. Hybrids can occasionally be infertile. Additionally, keep in mind that hybrids do not reproduce from seed, so planting hybrid coneflower seeds may not result in the precise plant you desire. Include at least two different coneflower plants in your garden if you intend to save seeds because all coneflowers have a certain proportion of sterile seeds.
Snip flower stalks after petals have fallen off to preserve coneflower seeds. Cut the stem as long as you can. This stem should be inserted into a paper bag with the spikey flower head facing the bottom of the bag. More than one stem can fit in a single bag. Using a rubber band, twist tie, or piece of twine, secure the bag around the stem’s base. The bag should be hung in a basement, dry garage, or closet. Seeds from dried flower heads will drop into the bag. The coneflower seed looks like a little white triangle.
After the seeds have germinated, separate them from the dreary chaff and let them air dry for a few days. Echinacea seeds should be kept in a cool, dry area. Put seeds in sealed jars and place them in the refrigerator for long-term preservation. Coneflower seeds are best planted within a year of harvest, even though they can be stored for as least seven years.
Even plant scientists disagree on the subject of whether the stratification process is necessary for the germination of coneflower seeds. Many backyard growers who use winter sowing techniques report great germination outcomes. Seedlings should be separated and tucked into the garden in the spring. Additionally, you can move seedlings into pots to allow them to mature before being incorporated into a landscape planting. This is a smart move if your garden attracts animals that eat plants, such as deer, squirrels, or rabbits.
Since many of the new coneflower hybrids are patented types, it is against the law to produce more of them. Plant patent owners normally have nothing against a home gardener cultivating a few coneflower plants from seed for their own garden. But you shouldn’t increase the number of patented coneflowers for sale or for use by others.
Allowing seed heads to ripen and dry on plants is another method for growing coneflower seeds. Break separate seed heads in the fall and scatter seeds where you wish new coneflowers to appear. Alternately, let coneflowers self-seed naturally. When produced from seed, the majority of coneflowers take two growing seasons to flower.
Should coneflowers be deadheaded?
Coneflowers can also be pruned in the summer. Pruning, meanwhile, does not appear the same in the summer as it does in the spring or fall. When you prune in the summer, it is more akin to “dead heading” and bouquet-making trimming. Unlike in the fall or spring, you won’t want to completely prune your plant.
In order to deadhead your coneflowers in the summer, you must remove bloom-expiring flowers. Deadheading is frequently done to maintain the plant’s appearance, stop seed production, and promote new blooms on the plant.
Did you know that cutting the flowers will increase the amount of blooming in many coneflower species? It’s true that cutting your flowers to enjoy indoors can frequently lead to even more blooms all summer long. So pull out the scissors and enjoy the lovely blooms both inside and outside.
Should I prune coneflowers back for the winter?
- Before cutting down to the ground to get ready for fresh growth in the spring, let plants stand through the winter to provide food for wildlife.
Coneflowers are a must-grow if you appreciate watching pollinators buzz and flit about lovely, trouble-free flowers that bloom for a long time. Although purple coneflowers (Echinacea purpurea) are the most prevalent, there are many new coneflower cultivars available in a rainbow of cheery hues, including pink, yellow, orange, red, and white. These flowers don’t just provide joy for a short time; they return year after year because they are perennials.
Because of the “cone that starts to poke up in the center of the circle of petals as each flower matures, coneflowers get their name. Actually, this is a group of seed heads that, when allowed to dry on the plant, serve as Mother Nature’s bird feeder, luring a large number of cardinals, goldfinches, and other hungry birds.
How to Choose Coneflowers
Which of the dozens of different coneflower kinds should you grow? The quickest response is: whichever ones you deem attractive and have room for (check the plant tag for info on this). Want some recommendations? Use these
- There are numerous native coneflower species, but the purple coneflower, which typically reaches heights of 2 to 4 feet, is the most well-known.
- ‘White Swan’ is a well-known variety that grows up to 4 feet tall and has big white blossoms among other widely available types.
- A lot of dwarf coneflower types, like “Kim’s Knee High,” remain fairly compact (with pinkish-purple flowers). If you have a small garden, consider planting them because you will get many blossoms in a short amount of space.
- Coneflower variants are also available that hardly resemble coneflowers at all, notably hybrid double types with two rows of petals. Just be mindful that some of plants produce flowers that fade more quickly than others in the garden.
Where to Plant Coneflowers
Coneflowers should be planted in an area with at least 6 to 8 hours of sunlight per day. However, in warmer climates (zones 8 and higher), a little midday shadow is beneficial because it will prevent the blooms from fading. As a result of their clump-forming nature, these plants won’t spread as widely as some other perennials. If you leave blossoms in situ, many of the older kinds may self-seed, which is a simple way to grow new plants!
When to Plant Coneflowers
Coneflowers grow best in the spring, after all threat of frost has passed. You can plant in the early fall as well. Just make sure your new plants have at least 6 weeks before the first anticipated frost to form roots; otherwise, they might not reappear in the spring.
How to Prepare the Soil for Planting Coneflowers
Coneflower roots need a healthy environment to flourish, so strengthen your natural in-ground soil by adding 3 inches of Miracle-Gro Garden Soil for Flowers to the top 6 inches of soil. The Moisture Control technology in this nutrient-rich garden soil helps to safeguard plants when they unintentionally receive too much or too little water. Additionally, if you use Miracle-Gro soil and plant food (and adhere to all instructions), you’ll get up to three times as many blossoms during the growing season (compared to unfed), so be sure to read the part below on “How to Feed Coneflowers.” Just one coneflower planted? Make a hole, then mix garden soil and the recently excavated earth 50:50.
How to Plant Coneflowers
1. Determine the location where you’ll plant your coneflowers, making sure to allow enough room between each plant. (The plant tag ought should indicate how much room you need.)
2. Create a hole for each plant that is identical in depth and width to the root ball.
3. To give root growth a boost for the first 30 days, drop a Miracle-Gro Quick Start Planting Tablet into the planting hole (as per the instructions on the label).
4. Remove a coneflower plant from its pot and insert it into the gap. The top of the root ball should be level with the surrounding soil.
5. Fill in the area surrounding the plant and firm up the dirt there.
6. Water sources.
7. Spread a 3-inch layer of mulch around the plant, being careful not to let it contact the stem, to help keep the soil moist and to block sunlight so weeds can’t develop.
How to Stake Coneflowers
Coneflowers rarely need to be staked because of their sturdy branches and large flowerheads. However, if you do encounter floppy plants, drive a strong stake close to the middle of the plant (avoid going through the plant), and then loosely wrap twine around the stake and the individual stems. Or, you might spend money on a spherical flower clumping stake. In either case, the finished product should appear natural, not constricted around the plant’s middle.
How to Water Coneflowers
Coneflowers can tolerate drought pretty well once they’ve had some time to establish themselves. Check on them every other day after planting; if the top inch of soil is dry, thoroughly water. Your coneflowers’ droopy leaves are another indication that they need water. Coneflowers shouldn’t require watering after a full growth season in the garden unless it hasn’t rained in at least two months.
How to Feed Coneflowers
Want a ton of lovely flowers? As soon as fresh leaves begin to grow in the spring, begin feeding your coneflowers Miracle-Gro Water Soluble Bloom Booster Plant Food. Your plants will grow bigger and produce more blooms as a result of this flower feast, which gets to work right away. Additionally, since you may apply water-soluble fertilizer when watering, it won’t require any extra time to do so.
How to Deadhead and Prune Coneflowers
Deadhead coneflowers frequently at the start of the bloom season to promote greater flowering by removing the faded blossoms before they set seed. Always prune back to a leaf or section of the stem where a new bud is visible. You can just leave them alone later in the season when the plant starts to produce fewer blooms.
To feed the birds over the winter, let the plants alone. Prune them to the ground in late winter. In the early spring, leaves will appear at ground level, soon to be followed by flower stalks.
Try this simple trimming tip to prolong the blooming period of your plants’ coneflowers by at least a season. Cut back some of the stems by half as they start to grow again in the spring to postpone flowering on those stalks. The cut stems will lend their beauty a bit later in the season after the uncut stems have finished blooming.
Can I Divide Coneflowers?
Coneflowers don’t require dividing like some perennials do in order to thrive. They are difficult to divide because each plant has a single taproot. Therefore, simply let them be.