Latest news with #Echinaceapurpurea
Vancouver Sun
26-07-2025
- General
- Vancouver Sun
Brian Minter: New echinacea varieties could see the hardy plants rise in popularity
The ongoing love affair with coneflowers is only growing stronger with the introduction of so many new varieties. Native to central and eastern North America, echinaceas are hardy sun and heat tolerant plants that have an old-fashioned charm and are very pollinator and wildlife friendly. In terms of recent breeding, the emphasis has been on developing new colours, flower forms and climate adaptable plants that can take the heat, withstand drought and survive the cold. Seedling varieties have also improved over the past few years. Echinacea White Swan was, for years, the go-to white, but E. PowWow White is a significantly improved variety with great vigour and a distinctive yellow cone at its centre. The older Echinacea purpurea is still grown and appreciated, but E. Magnus Superior has a much-improved habit and large, distinctive, magenta pink flowers with an orange centre cone. Perhaps the best seed-grown variety today is E. PowWow Wild Berry. It grows about 21 inches (55 centimetres) tall, has a wonderful growing habit and produces deep magenta pink flowers with an attractive orange cone. Stay on top of the latest real estate news and home design trends. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Westcoast Homes will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. The improved Prairie Splendor series offers some of the hardiest of all echinaceas. This compact series is hardy to zone 3, grows about 16 to 18 inches (40-45 cm) tall and flowers up to three weeks earlier than its traditional cousins. Available in shades of pink, magenta and white, these varieties are easy to grow and are reliable hot summer performers. A significant seed breakthrough has been achieved in the multi-colours of E. Cheyenne Spirit. Grown in the garden as a mixed collection, its rich summer colours of yellows, oranges and reds look almost like a wildflower display that continues blooming well into late summer. There are many other novel seed varieties, like the tricolours of E. Green Twister and the lacy white of E. Hula Dancer. The advancement of vegetative echinacea has made some very significant changes. One of the leading series today is E. Sombrero from Darwin Plants in the Netherlands, which is now part of the Ball Horticultural Company. What is unique about this series is the wide selection of vibrant colours, ranging from the hot orange of adobe orange and the spectacular red of salsa red to hot pink rosada and pure white blanco. This amazing colour spectrum also includes three shades of yellow, a fuchsia named flamingo and Baja burgundy. All in this series have a similar height range of 18 to 20 inches (46-51 cm) and a longer bloom period of June through August. Rated zone 4b, these echinaceas are very hardy and have excellent heat and drought tolerance. I love their easy maintenance and how clean and fresh they look throughout the summer. For a completely unique look, Darwin Plants has introduced a series called E. Double Scoop, the first fully double echinaceas that are available in an array of colours from bubble gum (a lovely pink), lemon cream, mandarin orange, watermelon deluxe, magenta cranberry red and raspberry (a hot pink). These double echinaceas all grow about 20 to 24 inches (46-81 cm) tall and are very full and bushy. They offer a different look for your garden from traditional echinaceas, but one I'm sure you will enjoy. Like the E. Sombreros, they are hardy to zone 4a and are both heat and drought tolerant. They will give your garden a fresh, new look. Danziger is one of Europe's great plant breeders, developing many new plants each year, and they have now introduced both the Panama and the Guatemala series of echinaceas. Panama red has certainly turned heads for its brilliant red colour and long flowering habit from late spring into fall. Its companion, Panama rose, a vibrant hot pink, is also a long bloomer. Both are very cold and heat tolerant, making them well adapted for today's climate realities. If you're looking for more compact varieties, they grow only about 12 inches (30 cm) tall. Also very compact, Guatemala echinaceas are similar to the Panama varieties, but they bloom earlier. Two colours in this series are amazing. Papaya, a fiery red-orange, and Guatemala gold, a vibrant golden yellow, are the most sought-after colours. These echinaceas are also very winter hardy and summer heat and drought tolerant. Monrovia Nurseries in California and Oregon have introduced a very different echinacea called E. Evolution Colorific. Each bloom has a green cone and the petal colours range from yellow to deep rose. The transitioning of the colours is what makes them so striking. Most of this changing of colours happens during cooler temperatures, and it's a bit dramatic and quite unique. When I attended Cultivate, North America's No. 1 horticultural show, which was held last year in Ohio, a friend of mine insisted that I check out a new display of echinaceas from Bull Plant Genetics in Germany. Bull Plant Genetics is renowned in both Europe and North America for their breeding of sunbeckias, heleniums and echinaceas. They introduced the SunMagic Vintage series of echinaceas, some of the longest flowering varieties, blooming from June well into fall. They also hold their beautiful cones even after a period of frost, making them ideal for winter interest. Like most of the new varieties, they are very cold hardy to zone 4 and hold up nicely in summer heat. Growing about 18 to 24 inches (45-60 cm), these new varieties are very strong plants. The SunMagic Vintage series has 14 different colours from electric orange, mango (a peachy yellow), pearl white and hot red to lavender and lipstick (a summery pink). They probably have the widest selection of echinacea colours, and they are incredibly vigorous plants. Many growers in B.C. are trialling them now with some impressive results. When Proven Winners conducted a survey last year to determine the most popular perennials, hostas, salvias and echinaceas, in that order, were ranked as the top three. With all these new varieties, I expect echinaceas will jump even higher in the ratings. Most varieties will be available over the next year or so. Be sure to give them a try — you won't be disappointed.
Daily Mirror
11-07-2025
- General
- Daily Mirror
Seven flowers that are so easy to grow they can be planted in any conditions
If you're new to gardening or simply want to take a break from high-maintenance plants, the following seven flowers are basically fool-proof and will thrive virtually anywhere Summer is upon us, and it's the perfect time to plant some f l owers to spruce up your garden. But remember, it's not just about what looks most appealing - budding gardeners need to consider the specific needs of their plants, ensuring they are placed in an environment that encourages growth. For example, hostas will burn under the midday sun, so it would be inappropriate to use a full-sun garden bed, while hydrangeas don't like rain gardens. But don't worry, as there are at least seven flowers that will thrive if you plant them pretty much anywhere, whether in clay soil or beneath a tree, they will all but grow all by themselves. 1. Zinnia A robust annual, zinnias (Zinnia) are versatile bloomers that can flourish in a variety of soils and conditions, though they do prefer basking in full sun and may not fare as well in shaded spots. Expect a riot of daisy-like, multicoloured blooms in every shade under the sun, from vivid yellows to pinks. They can tower anywhere between six to 48 inches and spread 12 to 18 inches wide, with a preference for well-drained soils. 2. Purple coneflower The hardy purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) is another trooper, able to withstand drought, clay soil, heat, humidity, and even a smattering of shade, making it a top pick for pollinators like bees, butterflies and other insects. It's a perennial plant. According to birds will happily peck at the seed heads during winter. The only conditions this purple beauty can't handle are deep shade and waterlogged soil. They can stretch 24 to 36 inches tall and spread 18 to 24 inches wide, thriving in anything from full sun to partial shade and most well-drained soils, as per the Express. 3. Whorled tickseed Don't be fooled by the dainty, smaller blooms of the whorled tickseed (Coreopsis verticillate) – it's a tough cookie. Its clusters of daisy-shaped flowers radiate gold and yellow, and it can endure heat and poor soils, and a touch of light shade. However, steer clear of deep shade and waterlogged soils, as it can lead to root rot. It will grow 12 to 18 inches tall and 12 inches wide and thrives in full sun and average, dry soils. 4. French marigolds French marigolds (Tagetes patula) are another adaptable flower that can thrive in various soil conditions and either full sun or partial shade. They can be planted just about anywhere. They're wind and drought-resistant and pair well with vegetable patches as they keep certain pests, like nematodes, at bay. They'll sprout to a height of six to 12 inches and spread six to 10 inches wide. This perennial doesn't require deadheading and features striking purple blooms and upright leafy stems. 5. Blazing star The Blazing star (Liatris spicata) is hardy enough to withstand poor soil conditions, heat, and humidity, and is low-maintenance. It's not prone to serious disease or pest issues. This perennial never needs deadheading and boasts spiking purple flowers and upright leafy stalks. It'll reach a height of two to four feet and a width of one to two feet. 6. Blanket flower Sporting daisy-like blossoms, the native blanket flower (Gaillardia aristata) will add a splash of red and yellow to your garden. It's a long-blooming perennial that thrives in heat and drought, and can cope with poor soils, such as sandy soils. However, it's best to steer clear of humid areas and wet clay. It grows eight to 12 inches tall and 12 to 18 inches wide, flourishing in full sun and average soil conditions. 7. Cosmos The saucer-shaped disk flower cosmos (Cosmos bipinnatus) is characterised by its delightful, saucer-shaped disk flowers that thrive in a range of conditions, favouring average soil. They're rarely affected by diseases or insects. It can grow from one to four feet tall and two to three feet wide, and does well in full sun to partial shade.
