Sun Perennial

Sunset Coneflower

Botanical Name: Echinacea purpurea 'Big Sky Sunset '
Height: 30-36" +
Spread: 12-18" +
Exposure: Sun
Care: Cut to ground in late Fall or Early Spring before new growth begins. If you leave the flower stalks standing over the winter, goldfinches will feed on the seedheads. Deadhead to encourage rebloom and tidy plantings
This is another new Echinacea with an unusual and different color. The flowers are 4 inches wide, with bright orange petals surrounding a large russet-brown cone. Unlike older Echinaceas, the petals of these blooms are held out and slightly upturned at the tips, rather than straight down. The orange flowers are a standout in the border and combine well with purples, blues, yellows and whites. See 'Mango Meadobrite Coneflower' for some planting ideas. Plants thrive in average soils and hot, dry conditions; they also shrug off winter cold. The cone at the heart of the flower turns black as the seeds mature, adding further interest and providing nourishment for goldfinches over the winter. All Echinaceas make excellent cut flowers.