Seeds can be started inside the house 6 to 8 weeks before the last spring frost or outside once the soil has warmed to around 70 °F (21 °C) (usually in the spring). [2] X Research source If you’re dividing or transplanting existing coneflowers in your garden, do it in the spring or fall.
If they get too much shade, your coneflowers will be vulnerable to powdery mildew, and you’ll notice they have droopy stems.
To check your soil’s drainage, dig a hole that’s about 12 inches (30 cm) wide and deep. Fill it with water and let it drain completely before filling the hole again. Monitor the water level this time: if your soil is well-drained, the water level will drop by 1 inch (2. 5 cm) every hour. Coneflowers are hardy flowers that can flourish in a wide range of conditions, so it’s okay if your soil isn’t perfect. Plus, adding compost improves your soil’s drainage.
Yellow coneflowers (Echinacea paradoxa) are bright blooms that can be grown next to other types of coneflower or grown separately. They grow in multi-stemmed clumps that can be up to 3 feet (0. 91 m) tall and 2 feet (0. 61 m) wide. Narrow-leaved coneflowers (Echinacea angustifolia) work well in small spots. This compact coneflower stays between 1 foot (0. 30 m)-2 feet (0. 61 m) tall and wide. Its pink petals are paler than those of the purple coneflower.
Meadow perennials like bee balm, black-eyed susans, lavender, asters, lupines, and larkspur are all great choices to pair with coneflowers. [6] X Research source
If space gets tight, consider growing a more compact variety like narrow-leaved coneflowers.
Digging such a wide hole is helpful because it gives the coneflower’s roots space to spread and grow. Immediately after planting and watering the coneflowers, apply a thin layer of mulch and compost over the soil’s surface to prevent weeds.
Growing coneflowers as plants bought from a nursery is most common, but coneflower seeds are also easy to care for. You can buy them, or collect them from coneflower plants in bloom. Remember that seeds collected from coneflower plants will take 2 years of growth before flowering. [9] X Research source
Once you’re done planting, water the coneflower just like you would if it was in the ground. Make sure that any pot you pick has drainage holes since coneflowers like to live in drier soil. The container’s material doesn’t matter as much as its size. Coneflowers can handle heat, so even metal is fine.
Because they’re drought-resistant, coneflowers don’t need to be constantly watered. In fact, they may be damaged if their roots get too soaked. Hybrid species of coneflowers may need more frequent watering to live healthy lives.
Apply a thin layer of mulch and compost each spring. This retains moisture and discourages weeds from growing in the area, which will make it easier for you to monitor your coneflowers in the summer.
