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Among numerous positive attributes, colorful coneflowers attract pollinators and birds. The popularity of coneflower (Echinacea spp.) may have gardeners pining to keep it around for a long time. That’s why we spoke exclusively with House Digest’s Master Gardener Tiffany Selvey to ask about the long-range prospects for this desirable plant. Can it really live for decades? “The concept of coneflowers living for decades depends entirely on propagation, and this will only work for non-cultivated species,” Selvey responded, adding that without major disease or pest issues, a single coneflower plant may live up to around three years, but it will produce a countless number of seeds. Selvey said that if the seeds are allowed to fall on the soil, or you collect them to propagate, “your coneflowers can continue indefinitely.”
Unlike the non-cultivated species, however, Selvey pointed out that cultivated species like ‘Hot Papaya’ and ‘White Swan’ cannot live for decades because the seeds collected from these plants will not be true to the parent plant. She advised gardeners who want coneflowers to last for decades to “choose native or non-cultivated species like purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) or yellow coneflower (Echinacea paradoxa).” Selvey suggested researching which coneflowers are native to your region and growing them for long-lasting plants.
Our expert: Propagation is key long-lasting coneflowers
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A long life for coneflowers could be curtailed by diseases and fungal issues that wreak havoc on the plants. “Among the most devastating is aster yellows, a microscopic organism spread by leafhoppers,” Selvey explained, noting that the disease is not curable, so plants showing evidence of this disease must be destroyed. “The likelihood of aster yellows spreading again the next season is high,” Selvey said, “so the best solution would be to avoid growing coneflowers and other susceptible plants in that area in the future.”
Selvey’s exclusive talk with House Digest included a few tips on how to grow and care for coneflowers. “Coneflowers, especially native species, are pretty low-maintenance plants,” Selvey explained. She noted that, as wildflowers, they tend to thrive in lean soil, “but they do need to be planted in full sun to ensure the best blooms and help prevent fungal issues, like powdery mildew,” Selvey said.
Selvey also addressed deadheading coneflowers throughout the growing season to help keep them blooming (be aware of mistakes to avoid when deadheading your garden’s flowers). “You can stop in late summer to leave plenty of seed heads for the birds, and some for yourself,” Selvey suggested.
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