Thursday, July 3, 2008

Coneflowers

Coneflower are so popular here in Texas. It seems like everyone has them, and has really good luck with them. I think Pam from Digging has the prettiest pictures I have ever seen. I would love to see hers in person. (In fact, I would love to see her entire garden--the pictures are beautiful!) I am drawn to coneflowers. I remember as a little girl having them in our front flower bed. I loved them and told my Mother "when I grow up I will have pink daisies like this in my yard!" Purple Coneflowers do the best, but there are several other varieties now. The word I hear from other gardeners is that these hybrids will not come back faithfully like the original purple. The corner bed where I have my coneflowers was pretty torn up last year, however one my peach colored plants did come back.



This is called "Big Sky." It is a peachy pink, and does not have the big orange center like the original purple.















This coneflower is "White Swan." It has done really well this year. In fact, I bought another one since I had such luck with this one.












This is a new coneflower I bought called
"Harvest Moon." It is just now blooming and will be a pumpkin yellow. Really pretty color!












Another new companion with the Harvest Moon is this yellow called "Sunrise." It's not a very bright yellow now, but it may darken as it opens.




What I love about these new coneflowers is the fragrance. They smell so sweet!
However, I was working in a back bed smelling such a wonderful scent 2 days ago, trying to figure out what it was when I leaned over and smelled a purple coneflower right at my feet and realized that is what I was smelling! Ummm!
I did not know the original purples smelled so good!




And finally, how cute is this! This is a
"clasping coneflower" I planted these from seeds I bought last summer. No sweet fragrance with these, but that's fine. No need to smell good when you are just so darn cute!!!

9 comments:

kesslerdee said...

The Coneflowers are so cool! I don't believe I have seen them growing in Arizona but would love to try some!

Meadowview Thymes said...

I think they would because it is so hot there. They like hot and dry conditions. Although--I do notice my looking wilted after several hours in the hot sun. I heard they do fine in part shade.

Anonymous said...

I love the rainbow of coneflower colors you have in your garden. I've never had any luck with White Swan. I don't know why. The purple coneflower blooms prolifically in my yard and I've multiplied it several times over. I would love to get some those other colors like the oranges and yellows. Beautiful Blooms!

Meadowview Thymes said...

I do think the purple are the best. I just can't help wanting to experiment. I don't have very good drainage, so they will all be a challenge for me. But one I will gladly take on! : )

CiNdEe's GaRdEn said...

I love coneflowers too. I thought I had lost my Sunset but I found it...it was just hiding. None of my others came back though. My white and purple ones are doing great though(-: I just love the new varieties I just wish they loved me(-: Yours are beautiful!!

Meadowview Thymes said...

Cindee, do your purples come back every year? I am so curious about the weather where you live. Guess I thought with your mild winters, your flowers never died back!
Sorry for all your smoke there. Hope things are ok where you live!

CiNdEe's GaRdEn said...

My purple ones come back every year. They are really hardy. So do the white ones. Just the new varieties are not coming back. I don't know why. It is not that cold here usually in the winter but it does freeze. Normally 30ish. But it has been known to get into the teens at times.

Anonymous said...

Wow, that Big Sky is really gorgeous. I like the white one too. I've grown a few of the new coneflowers, and all died out except Razmatazz, and even that one barely comes back. They just aren't as vigorous as the natural ones.

Thanks for your kind words about my coneflower photos and garden. If you're ever in Austin, I'd be happy to give you a tour.

Meadowview Thymes said...

Pam--I DO come to Austin some. I might take you up on that offer!
Thanks!