Coneflowers, scientifically known as Echinacea, are popular, hardy perennials valued for their distinctive appearance and ecological benefit. These North American natives feature daisy-like flowers with a prominent, spiky central cone, which gives them their common name. Coneflowers are a favorite of many pollinators, including bees, butterflies, and songbirds, which are drawn to their nectar and seeds. This guide will navigate the best places and various forms in which to purchase these vibrant and resilient garden plants.
Locating Retail Sources
The search for coneflowers will lead you to three primary categories of retail sources, each offering different advantages. Local, independent garden centers are excellent starting points for personalized service and locally adapted stock. Staff at these locations often possess regional horticultural knowledge, ensuring you select varieties most likely to thrive in your specific climate and soil conditions.
Big box stores offer convenience and often the lowest prices, especially for common varieties of Echinacea. While accessible, the quality control can be variable, and the selection is generally limited to the most mass-produced cultivars. These stores are best for gardeners seeking a quick, economical purchase of standard purple coneflowers.
For a wider array of specialized coneflower varieties, online nurseries and specialty seed vendors are the best option. These businesses ship directly to your home and typically offer an extensive selection of the newest hybrid colors and forms that are unavailable locally. Shipping methods can vary, with plants arriving as seeds, dormant bare roots, or fully potted transplants.
Understanding Purchase Options
Coneflowers are sold as seeds, bare roots, or potted plants, each requiring different cost and time investments. Buying seeds is the most economical way to acquire coneflowers, particularly for large plantings or when seeking a specific seed-grown cultivar. However, seeds require patience, as they must be started indoors or direct-sown, and the plants may not flower profusely until their second year of growth.
Bare root stock consists of dormant, root-only sections, often shipped during early spring or fall planting windows. Bare roots are economical for purchasing a large quantity and allow the plant to establish its root system quickly once planted, though they offer no immediate visual gratification. Potted plants, or transplants, provide the most instant garden appeal, featuring developed foliage and often buds or blooms.
When purchasing potted coneflowers, inspect the physical health of the plant. Look for bright green, turgid foliage without signs of yellowing, spots, or pest damage. Examine the root system by gently sliding the plant from its container; healthy roots should be firm and white, with soil still visible. Avoid severely root-bound plants, indicated by a dense, circling mass of roots.
Key Varietals and Selection Criteria
Choosing the right coneflower requires considering your garden’s environment and the plant’s desired function. The species Echinacea purpurea, native to eastern North America, is known for its longevity, reliability, and strong support for pollinators. This species typically features rose-purple petals and is hardy in USDA zones 3 through 9.
The horticultural market now features countless hybrids and cultivars developed for novel colors, including bright reds, oranges, and yellows. Some of these hybrids, such as those with double or pom-pom flowers, may offer less nectar and pollen, making them less valuable to foraging insects than the straight species. Hybrids provide a wider color palette and often a more compact growth habit, but some newer introductions may not be as hardy as E. purpurea.
Coneflowers thrive best with at least six hours of direct sunlight daily and in well-drained soil. Confirm that the chosen variety’s hardiness zone rating aligns with your local climate to ensure the plant survives the winter. Selecting a plant that suits your specific sun exposure and soil conditions contributes to its long-term health and vibrant summer blooming.