“Colorful fun with Coneflowers”

The ‘Summer Sun’ is bright (too bright apparently) and so are the Coneflowers here at the nursery.  We ‘Hope’ you’ll stop in under this ‘Summer Sky’ and treat your’ gardens to some ‘Tomato Soup’, with ‘Mango Meadowbrite’ and ‘Hot Papaya’ on the side.  Wash it all down with some ‘Vintage Wine’ at ‘Sundown’.  Put on a little ‘Elton Knight’ and ‘All that Jazz’ while you gaze up at the ‘Ruby Stars’ in search of the missing constellation ‘Magnus’.  All around ‘Pixie Meadowbrite’ s and ‘Pink Poodle’ s only ‘Red Knee High’ sway to the music until ‘Sunrise’.

“What was in that ‘Vintage Wine’ anyway?

Don’t miss your chance to get your hands on a few of these ‘Irresistible’ coneflower varieties or you’ll have ‘Green Envy’ for sure.

The people that breed these beautiful plants must be a lot of fun to work with.  What creative names!  Many gardeners are familiar with, and very fond of the popular Purple Coneflower, but these newer varieties with their delicious, imaginative and sometimes silly names have really extended the color pallet, unlocking the creative spirit in many.  Reds, oranges and yellows, pinks, purples, whites and even green flowers are held up by sturdy stems.  Some varieties will produce a more classic single daisy style flower while some have double flowers that produce a pompom effect.  Coneflowers begin to bloom midsummer and keep going until fall, especially with some occasional dead heading.  They are a magnet for butterflies while in bloom and for song birds when they set their seeds.  Compact varieties will maintain a height at or under 24” while taller varieties bob on the breeze at closer to 2½ to 3’.  They love full sun and would prefer to be planted in loamy well drained soil but will grow in heavier soils with proper drainage.  Once established they are tolerant of heat, cold, and drought.  A wonderful addition to the perennial border, cutting and wildlife gardens.  Don’t miss out on all the colorful fun!

Heidi Brosseau, our retail manager, submitted the above blog post.  Well done – Heidi!