Viewing post #895159 by springcolor

Finally have a moment before the day starts. With all this sun was hard getting any great pictures. I hate to admit this but have dropped some serious cash on these plants over the years. This is what I learned and what seems to work for me. I don't buy plugs any more because they die, only buy gallon size with as much base growth as possible and plant early, never in the fall. Soil must be free draining, mine is an old rose bed that has a rockery on one side, very free draining soil. Also, here in the northwest the site must have all day sun. I don't fertilize either. These are the varieties that have been with me for 4 or 5 years but seem to still loose some for unknown reasons..
Marmalade, needs support


Summer Sun


Hot lava or Flame Thrower


Irresistible


Virgin


Pow Wow Wild Berry


Hot Papaya, Have killed this one 2 times but love the color on this one

Cleopatra

I have a few others in the same bed but no tags. I think what does these plants in are the rains we get in the early spring. Also the slugs love these plants when they emerge. I'm no exert but have made plenty of mistakes with these plants. I also have Echies down at the rental house planted in a west facing bed under and eve and they do well. Most of these plants are from seeds I saved off my named varieties but they all turned out pink. They is also some good information on cubits. I will get the link.
http://cubits.org/echinaceas/