This is a classic native of North America prairies, and a long time favorite in our gardens. The flowers of the species are shaped like a Black-eyed Susan’s, with sturdy orange-bronze cones and petals that are not really purple but rather a dark pink. The long lasting blooms are held at the end of straight, stiff stems, perfect for cuts. In fact, some arrangers pull off the petals and use only the decorative cones. The foliage is coarse, forming a thick clump at the base of the plant. They do best in full sun but will take some shade, and are tolerant of hot, dry, windy sites. Feed and water moderately, and do not allow to stay wet in winter.

Echinacea 'Tiki Torch' is very new from Terra Nova. They say: "Large, bright, pumpkin orange flowers. The amazing flowers combined with the upright, well branched flowering stems make this a must have new plant. Excellent vigor!"

My comments: I haven't had this long enough to evaluate performance in the garden - but the flowers really are a unique color, unlike any of the other oranges I've seen.

31724 Echinacea 'Tiki Torch' PPAF   Sold Out  
Sun / 20-24” / Zone4-9 / Summer Bloom / Quart Pots / $10.95 ea. 

Echinacea 'Purity' is a new white from Terra Nova. They say: "Purity is the new GOLD STANDARD for Echinacea flower & form! Over 25 - 4.5" blooms on a 1 year old established plant! Remarkably strong and well-branched. 18-24" plants produce pristine white flowers of superb quality with bright orange cones!"

NEW 31707 Echinacea 'Purity' PPAF  Sold Out   
Sun / 18-24” / Zone4-9 / Summer Bloom / Quart Pots / $10.95 ea. 

Echinacea 'Pink Double Delight' is from AB-cultivars It is very floriferous with pink, fully double pom-pom-like flowers. The habit is very compact with good flower count.

31707 Echinacea 'Pink Double Delight' PPAF   Sold Out  
Sun / 20-24” / Zone5-9 / Summer Bloom / Quart Pots / $9.95 ea. 

As a result of crosses between Echinacea purpurea and Echinacea paradoxa there are a host of new and interesting Coneflowers entering the market. The Big Sky Series was recently introduced by the Itsaul Nurseries, and as a group is rated the best of the new entries. These all have branching habits and strong stems, good flower size and form,  fragrance ... and unique new colors! While they are all part of the trademarked Big Sky series, the names here can be a bit confusing. There is a Sunrise, Sunset, and a Sundown. Echinacea SUNDOWN is technically the cultivar Echinacea ‘Evan Saul’ and Echinacea HARVEST MOON is technically Echinacea ‘Matthew Saul’. I suspect in the trade they will usually be listed as Sundown and Harvest Moon.

Echinacea HARVEST MOON (cultivar = ‘Matthew Saul’) - After a few seasons with this series of Coneflowers, I think this may be my favorite of the lot. The flower petals are wide and nearly overlapping, held in a horizontal plane, not swept back, so they make a great cut flower. The orange cone is attractive all by itself. Good branching.

31712 Echinacea HARVEST MOON PPAF   Sold Out   
Sun / 32-40” / Zone5-9 / Summer Bloom / Quart Pots / $9.95 ea. 

Echinacea SUMMER SKY (cultivar = ‘Katie Saul’) - described by Itsaul - “Our first bi-color coneflower! Soft peach petals with a rose halo around the cone - 5" blooms and dark stems adorn this robust echinacea. Fragrant, excellent cut flower.”

31714 Echinacea SUMMER SKY PPAF   Sold Out
Sun / 36-42” / Zone4-8 / Summer Bloom / Quart Pots

Echinacea ‘Sunrise’ - “This brand new selection sports citron yellow flowers, the same color as Coreopsis 'Moonbeam'. Its central cone starts out green and then widens and turns gold as it ages. The nice wide flower petals are slightly reflexed and overlap, giving the blossoms a full, substantial presence.”

31720 Echinacea ‘Sunrise’ PPAF  Sold Out
Sun / 30-36” /  Zone4-9 / Summer Bloom / Quart Pots /

Echinacea ‘All That Jazz’ is the very latest Coneflower. Our supplier says - “This incredibly unique new Echinacea hybrid produces lavender pink flowers with completely quilled ray petals and an orange cone. They make quite a spectacle in fresh bouquets and in the garden.”

31688 Echinacea ‘All That Jazz’ PPAF  Sold Out
Sun / 30-36” / Zone4-8 / Summer Bloom / Quart Pots /

Echinacea ‘Ruby Giant’ is from originator’s stock of Echinacea ‘Ruby Star’, specially selected and propagated vegetatively to retain the enormous flower size (listed as 5-7” across!)

31708 Echinacea ‘Ruby Giant’  Sold Out
Sun / 36-40” /  Zone3-8 / Summer Bloom / Quart Pots / $8.95 ea.