Perennials – Coneflower

• Coneflower 

Botanical name: echinacea 

Beginner friendly?: yes

Average size at maturity:  1 – 5 ft in height and a 4 – 20 in spread

Bloom time:  summer/fall

Hardy zone: zones 4-9

Flower color: pink/purple/white/brown/red/orange/yellow

Foliage color: green 

Growth rate: reaches maturity in about 4 years 

Pruning instructions: prune in the late winter before new growth begins to emerge

Propagation methods: cut a stem just below a node and place in water until roots start to emerge

Landscape use: great shrub backdrop or bed border under larger shrubs or trees  

Light needs: 6 hours of light a day

Special features:  attracts butterflies 

Watering instructions:  at least an inch of water weekly

Fertilizing instructions : use 6-4-5 once a year in the early fall

Best time to plant: spring 

Best type of soil: loam 

Companion plants: yarrow, salvia, salvia

Toxicity level: non-toxic for humans and pets if ingested 

Invasive species: no