I have trouble growing the "newer" varieties of "Coneflowers" (Echinacea). The "Sombrero" series Salsa Red in particular. They slowly turn black, shrivel and die back to the ground. On other occasions after flowering they go on for a month or so then the same thing happens. This has happened on young plants in 4 " pots and others in gallon pots. My watering is at most 3 times weekly, less in wet weather. ( I should mention that "Pow Wow" coneflower grows like a weed under my conditions.) Any help out there? Dandydan

This thread may not be particularly helpful, but at least you might appreciate finding you're not alone!
The thread "Hybrid Echinacea, NOT for me!" in All Things Gardening forum
Grrrr, somehow, I can't get the link go to the beginning of the thread.

Dan, I've tried at least 3 times to grow Echinacea here in Florida. They do fine in the dry months then peter out once June hits with the warm humid nights and the rain. We have well drained soil and lots of sun, but I think it's the humidity that gets them. I was trying to grow White Swan which is one of the old seed varieties.

I've grown some hybrid varieties in my daughter's garden in Salt Lake, and they did last maybe 5 years, with some re-seeding themselves. But not here. Nuthin, nada.

The same thing happens with Agastache, another hot dry summer lover. Bloomed their hearts out from Feb. until June then petered out.

Even up here mine seem to better with a little partial shade, what you have sounds like rot from poor drainage or overcrowding. I add lots of sand to my soil mix. Also Echinacea do not like to be feed just some bonemeal.
http://extension.psu.edu/pests...
http://cubits.org/echinaceas/

@woofie, your link is taking you to where you last read that thread. Anyone else that may have been following the same thread will land in the spot they last read. To make it link from the top, click the "Back to the Top" function found at the bottom of every thread. You will actually see it change the URL from saying "#new_post" at the end of that URL to "#top".

@Calif_Sue, I tried that, and it still takes me to the end of the thread. I know I've done this before, so I just can't figure what I'm doing wrong.