The common purple cultivar of Echinacea is best known as Coneflower. The specialty Echincacea purpurea hybrids found on Garden Club take this perennial flower to the next level, blooming in a rainbow of colors and shapes. Ray-like petals surround each coned center; choose from single-petaled or fully double varieties. These Echinacea are propagated by tissue culture and may not be as hardy as their wild purple counterparts, but we expect them to be hardy in USDA zones 4-9.

Unbox your plugs immediately, open up their greenhouses, and give them a drink of water. Harden the plugs off for a few days and transplant as soon as possible. These perennials may arrive in a dormant state; don't be alarmed if they arrive with little or no top growth–the roots are well developed and the plant is ready to grow! Any actively growing plants must be protected from frost. Be sure you do not bury the crowns of the young plants: plant the plugs so that the top of the growing medium is level with the soil. Echinacea thrives in sunny garden beds with rich, pH-neutral, well-draining soil. These are facultative long-day plants and will bloom when the days lengthen. Plant Echinacea plugs in the spring, after your last frost has passed. New growth must be protected from frost and freezing temperatures.

Depending on the variety, Echinacea plug plants should be spaced 16-24" apart; this spacing will encourage airflow and help prevent Pythium, Botrytis, and Phytophthora. Echinacea are known to be rugged, problem-free plants, but Thrips, Aphids, whiteflies and slugs may be attracted to them. Do not pinch Echinacea, it is single-stemmed and will not bloom if pinched. Allow the plants to dry out slightly between irrigations; the best watering practice is to water in the morning to prevent sending plants into the night cycle with water on the foliage, which can lead to crown rot and leaf spot. Apply a balanced fertilizer (NPK ratio 10:10:10) during active growth periods. These newer cultivars will give you the biggest flowers and longest stems if they are well fed and watered!

For fresh use in the vase, harvest the stems when the petals have expanded. Expect them to last about a week in the vase; a floral preservative like Chrysal will maximize the vase life. If you prefer to use the cones (without petals) for floral arrangements, wait until the cone is raised and turning golden, and remove petals at harvest time. The cones can be used fresh, or dried for everlasting bouquets.