With bright yellow flower heads, coneflowers attract everyone's attention. It is no coincidence that the summer shrub is considered the secret ruler in the colorful flower bed. In order for the imposing flower to unfold its magic in your green realm, a few fundamental care aspects come into focus. You can find out what these are here.
Plant coneflowers properly
So that the perennial with golden yellow ray florets and brown heart keeps what the name promises, the following procedure is important when planting:
- Weed thoroughly in a sunny location with nutrient-rich, well-drained and freshly moist soil
- Meanwhile, place the young plant with the root ball in a bucket of water
- The planting pit has 1-5 times the volume of the root ball
- Drill a support stick into the ground for tall species and varieties
Enrich the excavation with compost and horn shavings to plant the potted plant down to the lower pair of leaves. The current growth height determines whether the coneflower already connected now or at a later point in time. After you have pressed and watered the substrate, the perennial will appreciate a mulch layer of leaves or grass.
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care tips
If you give coneflowers the following care, the perennial proves to be a loyal companion that is full of flowers throughout the summer:
- Water regularly in beds and tubs when the soil has dried
- Start fertilizing in April/May and top up in June with compost, horn shavings or liquid fertiliser
- Clean out wilted flowers for a rich rebloom
- Cut back close to the ground either in autumn or early spring
A light winter protection outdoors is only recommended in the year of planting by covering coneflowers with leaves or needle brushwood. Planters are wrapped in foil and placed on wood so that the root ball does not freeze through. When there is a frost, it should be watered a little every now and then on mild days.
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Which location is suitable?
Coneflowers are everywhere with floral splendor where it is sunny to full sun. The perennial does its best in combination with nutrient-rich and fresh, moist soil. In partially shaded locations, on the other hand, the abundance of flowers falls far short of expectations.
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The right planting distance
So that a coneflower can show what summer beauty it has to offer, you should choose an airy and at the same time uninterrupted planting distance. With an average growth height of the genus Echinacea of 80-100 cm, a distance of 35 cm to the plant neighbor is considered ideal. Plant 8 specimens per square meter to green a larger area with Echinacea. If you plant an imposing Rudbeckia with a growth height of up to 200 cm, a planting distance of 90 cm is considered appropriate.
What soil does the plant need?
Echinacea is developing into a magnificent highlight in the perennial bed, if the soil is nutrient-rich, humic and slightly moist. For a plant in a tub, we therefore recommend a high-quality one potting soil use compost. The addition of perlite or lava granulesto ensure good permeability.
What is the best planting time?
They give coneflowers an excellent starting position in the perennial bed if you choose the autumn months of September or October as the planting time. In the deeply warmed-up soil, the delicate roots immediately set to work to be well established by the first frost. As a result, the plants start in the spring with a vital growth advantage compared to coneflowers, which are only planted in April or May.
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When is flowering time?
A coneflower spoils us with its eye-catching flower heads all summer long into autumn. The brightly colored blossom festival kicks off in July and lasts into October. It is beneficial to ensure uninterrupted flowering if you trim off faded specimens to make room for a second bloom.
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Cut coneflowers properly
If you take a look at the coneflower bed during the flowering period, the scissors should always be at hand. Cut off withered flower stalks immediately, motivate the flower to sprout again. At the end of this year's flowering period, it is up to you to decide whether the perennial can be self-seeded in the garden. In this case, leave the flower stalks in the bed until next spring, where they also act as a winter decoration with their hedgehog heads. Do not cut off the foliage until it has withered completely, because by then the roots will have assimilated the remaining nutrients.
Various premium varieties are recommended as vase decorations, such as Rudbeckia Goldsturm or the robust coneflower Toto. Cut the prettiest flower stalks to the ground early in the morning, when their buds have just opened.
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Water coneflowers
As a prairie flower, echinacea tolerates short-term drought in exceptional cases without any problems. A lush abundance of flowers, on the other hand, is more conducive to a constantly slightly moist substrate that dries up in the meantime. Ideally, water the perennial directly onto the roots and avoid watering from above.
Fertilize coneflowers properly
Echinacea does not despise food and is happy about an organic initial fertilization in spring, which is refreshed during the flowering period. Therefore, give a generous portion of compost and horn shavings to the flower in April/May and repeat the nutrient supply in June. If you cultivate the hedgehog heads in tubs, it is advisable to give liquid fertilizer every 2 to 3 weeks due to the limited substrate volume. At the end of August, the application of fertilizers ends so that the perennial prepares for the winter.
Diseases
The fungal disease is rampant in the garden mildew, the purple coneflower is rarely spared. Check the leaves every few days to act as soon as the first symptoms appear. If a mealy-white patina develops on the leaves, fresh milk should be available in the fridge. Milk water in a ratio of 1:9 is able to stop the fungal infection in the early stages of infestation. Spray the mixture on the top and bottom of the leaves every 2 days.
hibernate
Since both Rudbeckia and Echinacea coneflowers can withstand temperatures as low as -35 degrees Celsius, winter protection measures are not necessary for well-established plants. In the year of planting and in the tub, we recommend the following precautions:
- Cover coneflowers with leaves or needle brushwood in the first winter
- Place the bucket on wood, wrap it in foil and place it in front of the south wall of the house
If winter lacks moisture in the form of rain or snow, water the perennial occasionally on a mild day.
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multiply coneflowers
The propagation of coneflowers is just as uncomplicated as the entire cultivation of this magnificent perennial. Just choose the one that suits you from the following methods:
- Division of the root ball in spring or autumn
- sowing the seed behind glass
While the division is not a challenge even for the novice hobby gardener, sowing requires a little experience. Since the seeds are cold germs, stratification - i.e. cold treatment - is required in advance to awaken the mood for germination.
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How do I plant correctly?
Coneflowers get a makeover every 5 years by dividing and transplanting the perennial. You will be amazed at the effect this uncomplicated measure has on the plant's willingness to bloom and its vitality:
- Cut out the root ball in the radius of the growth height in spring or autumn
- With the digging fork loosen the soil well to lift the plant out of the ground
- Divide the root ball into two or more segments that have at least 2 buds
Take this opportunity to inspect the roots closely to cut off and discard bare, puny sections. Then plant each root ball in fresh soil enriched with compost and water generously.
Is purple coneflower poisonous?
The ingredients of Echinacea have been important in folk medicine for generations. It is the essential oils, bitter substances and echinacin that have a healing effect on diseases of the respiratory tract or in the treatment of wounds. Medicines based on coneflower are also used for psoriasis. Prepared as a tea, Echinacea also strengthens the body's defenses against colds and flu. Poisonous is therefore a property that does not apply to coneflowers.
Echinacea does not bloom
If coneflowers won't bloom, you can't avoid a dedicated search for the cause. We have compiled the most common triggers for a lack of flowering for you here with tips for remedying them:
- Lack of light: Echinacea move to a sunny location
- Drought stress: Water the perennial regularly as soon as the soil has dried on the surface
- Nutrient deficiency: Supply the flower with compost or liquid fertilizer in April/May and in June
Also, keep in mind that seedling-propagated perennials take a few years to flower. If your coneflower comes from a sowing of seeds, you should therefore wait 2-3 years until the first flower.
Beautiful varieties
- Summer Sun: Two-toned red-orange and gold-orange hybrid with a delightful scent; Growth height 80-90 cm
- Sunrise: The variety impresses with light yellow flowers and a compact habit; Growth height 70-80 cm
- Hula Dancer: The white ray florets are tinged with pink and hang down elegantly; Growth height 80 cm
- August Queen: Magnificent coneflowers with purple-pink flowers on dark stems; Growth height 80-90 cm
- Fatal Attraction: Impressive, rich red flowers on stiffly upright stems; Growth height 60-70 cm
- Razzmatazz: Premium variety with lush, double purple-pink pompom flowers; Growth height 80-90 cm
- Goldball: Majestic fence peepers of the genus Rudbeckia with golden yellow, bulging flowers; Growth height 180-200 cm
- Herbstgold: One of the loveliest varieties for vase cutting with yellow-reddish-brown flamed flowers; Growth height 80-100 cm