Almost all were started from seeds, mostly commercial. The 8th photo (orange one) was wintersowed from seeds harvested from NJBob's salsa red. Last winter (2013) I started one pack each of Cheyenne Spirit, Warm Summer, and Pow Wow Berry. I've also started regular old purple and White Swan and Doppleganger in years past. I've been gardening for a long time, and I'm too cheap to buy many plants. I do have a few that were purchased as plants. Aster yellows went wild in my yard in 2012 and I lost a lot of coneflowers then.

Karen

Yes, I remember the aster yellows. That was horrible, hope that is not happening anymore. I would like to get one Salsa Red and try winter-sowing some of my own seeds just to see what I get. I might be surprised. I do like #8 as well as the others.

Beautiful, Karen!

Thanks.

Karen

kqcrna said: I've been gardening for a long time, and I'm too cheap to buy many plants.

I've only had a place to garden for 11 seasons now, and I'm too cheap to buy many plants!
Actually, if I was wealthy enough, I'd have hired a landscaper to do the hardscape and I'd be much further along with my seeded/cutting/traded/flea market plants. And LESS far along with the backaches!

Which (if any) series of Echinacea will come back every year? mamajack cubit has these series Bird, Cupcake, Dixie, Dream, Meteor, Secret, Supreme, Prairie Pillars and Prairie Pixies. Also can the seeds from these be planted?

CG, try building your own rock garden with 4 tons of boulders and 8 yards of soil... I did it by using a furniture dolly and rope. Retaining wall done by contractor would have cost $10 grand for only one side of my corner, not including any plantings. I did it for $1,200, with plants. I don't call that cheap, I call it survival...I do need to eat! And it saved me years of backaches because I don't have to mow the @#$%& hill every week
One thing I would really love to have, though, is a gazebo. I can't afford that and don't think I could build it myself.
I don't know about you, but I don't buy nearly as many plants as I used to...divide or propagate what I have, trade with others, find the cool cheap plant sales in the area, and so on. Gets cheaper every year.
Sorry, went off on a tangent that has nothing to do with coneflowers....

Coming back depends on your conditions.
WELL DRAINED seems to be the key.

Seeds will likely produce SOMEthing - maybe true to the parent, but maybe different.

foraygardengirl said:CG, try building your own rock garden with 4 tons of boulders and 8 yards of soil... I did it by using a furniture dolly and rope. Retaining wall done by contractor would have cost $10 grand for only one side of my corner, not including any plantings. I did it for $1,200, with plants. I don't call that cheap, I call it survival...I do need to eat! And it saved me years of backaches because I don't have to mow the @#$%& hill every week
One thing I would really love to have, though, is a gazebo. I can't afford that and don't think I could build it myself.
I don't know about you, but I don't buy nearly as many plants as I used to...divide or propagate what I have, trade with others, find the cool cheap plant sales in the area, and so on. Gets cheaper every year.
Sorry, went off on a tangent that has nothing to do with coneflowers....

Boy howdy that's some building!
I love the "sharing" part of gardening.
Alway taking in orphaned plants and propagating my own. THAT'S PART OF THE FUN!!!

Am I correct in thinking that coneflowers are short-lived, and that they appear to live for a long time because they self-seed? I thought I read that somewhere, but the memory isn't what it used to be. Coneflowers/coneheads/ice cream cones, maybe I mixed them up

I only have the old Bravado ones but they're over 20 years old.

I think that's probably the species rather than the hybrids.

But I'm no authority....

That would make sense...probably why I didn't think of it I see some research ahead. Thanks, CG!

You're in the right place for research!

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY ATP!!!!

Linda first thing is seeds will not come true from any of them , they are all tissue culture. Also you will not get as many viable seeds from tissue culture plants and few if any from the double flowers. This does not mean you would not get some nice plants from the seeds.

As far as the series I have not tried any Bird of Cupcake. I have 2 of the Dixie but that series is new this season. As for the others I would go with the Pillars which other then Tiki Torch have done well. If you let me know which plants you are interested in I will let you know how they have done for me.

I did see that sale , but for me I consider planting plugs in Aug. way to late in the season.

Thanks Bob. I am not patient enough for plugs. I also dont buy plants on sale after June. There isnt enough time for good rootgrowth before the ground freezes.

fellow ATP
good advice on the roots. will wait until next year on Coneflowers.

I've had the same Razzmatazz coneflower for over 6 years now. My Sombrero 'Salsa Red' are in their third year. Some Echinaceas do live a long time.

I suspect the issue with my coneflowers disappearing is rabbits. Their two favorite treats in my garden appear to be lilies and coneflowers. The rest they mostly leave alone except for shaving off hosta leaves here and there.

Oh yes, rabbits love echinacea.....