I can't claim to be a newbie but when it comes to digging stuff up I am definately an ametuer.

I have an Echinacea (White Swan) that is doing poorly; it is very small, not much growth, has two buds that are not opening. I knew when I bought it two years ago I did not have a spot for it but "found one" in an area that is too shady. I now have a spot for it in a sunny garden. Should I move it this Fall or will it have a better chance next Spring?

Good question Maridell!! I would probably move it now -- it is cooler right now so it should be fine!! I moved one from a shady spot to a sunny spot on Labor day last year and it is doing fabulous this year!!

After two years I'm really looking forward to this plant getting established and doing some flowering! So I am going to go ahead and move it in the next few days. Thanks for the encouragement.

I imagine I should remove to the two buds that are not opening?

I suppose thats a good idea!!!

I probably should have done that some time ago when it became apparent that it was not going to bloom properly. Oh well!

LOL!!

Echinacea I think can be transplanted spring summer and fall. I have transplanted them in the spring, turned around and moved some more in July and then some more in September. As long as, they are kept moist not wet, and have time to put down more good roots before frost, they will be fine. The reason I moved so many is cause two hears ago I was,'t deadheading as I should have. Those monsters had more babies than I could shake a stick at and you can only give so many away...........................

Thanks for the additional information Cherie...I need to get out there and do it!

I had a hard time getting a White Swan to even live. After about 5 tries
I finally got a couple to establish themselves in an old hog feeding tub
with some Magnus that had been there for a few years. The tub is split
down one side so it drains well. It's in mostly sun but there is some shade
on both ends of the day. Maybe it was the companionship of the Magnus
that got the WS to live. Or maybe just finding the right conditions.

Even my Magnus doesn't multiply a lot. I have it in about 3 places so it
has more opportunities to become invasive if it wanted to.

I'll like to have some of the newer cultivars to see if I can get them going.
Hint, hint. Even seeds.

GOD bless and keep each of you.

Hi leaflady...well maybe I will find the same thing with the white swan even in a good location...stay tuned (till next year!!!!). I'm not familiar with Magnus what is it?

Magnus is a bright medium shade of pink echinecia that has been
around for many years. It seems very hardy and reliable. Doesn't cross
pollinate with any other colors that I have noticed. I think I have seeds left
where the blossoms use to be if you are interested.

Leaflady, I have never planted echinacea by seed...what does it entail? Can an amateur like me be successful?

I have White Swan in perfect sun and soil. Some years they do well but this year they surely did not. They had regular moisture and drainage but it got hot real early, then was cool for quite some time so that all of my perennials were 'out of order'. I am hoping the White Swan revive next year but it may be that they (as all perennials do), 'have a life' span.

My transplant job looks okay so far. You know next Spring I'll be out there looking for it and hoping for a good show.

I have a few echies in more shade than sun and they do OK. I'm disappointed in the rather negative results some of you are having with White Swan though. I wintersowed them last year so this was their first year to bloom. I loved them. They flowered a lot for such young plants and each blossom was long lasting. I hope they keep going in that direction.


Karen

Ugh! I distracted MYSELF from what I intended to say in the first place.

About three years ago I divided an old, regular purple coneflower in spring. That thing has never gotten over my meddling, but I love the final effect. In this clump you can see a couple of very short blooming stems. They've done that every year since I divided in spring. I admit, I like those little short guys in front but I think the plant still resents my messing around.


Karen

That IS kind of odd. I like 'em. Nice photo above with the White Swan.

Thanks, Maridell.

Karen

I'm thinking I should do that to my purple ones. They are so agressive they really got tall and began tresspassing all over this year!

give 'em some abuse!