Echinacea Big Sky™ series

New coneflowers that are anything but purple

By now , most gardener have learn of the color explosion that is happening with Echinacea ( Echinaceaspp . and cvs . ) . works that once only displayed purple- and rose - colored blooms are now strutting their stuff in shade of orangish , yellow , white , and even green . Since the growing of these new chromaticity , it seems the uncouth name , over-embellished coneflower , no longer applies . Among the rising star is a mathematical group of newfangled echinaceas that go to the Big Sky ™ series ( USDA Hardiness Zones 4–9 ) .

Not derived from the magical working of prairie gnomes nor the snort , bees , or butterflies , the Big Sky ™ series come to us through the breeding efforts of Richard Saul of ItSaul Plants in Atlanta , Georgia . The classic purple coneflower ( E. purpurea ) is the predominant parent , but the yellow - flowering Ozark prairie native coneflower ( E. paradoxa ) is creditworthy for the wondrous new flower colors .

There are currently five members of the Big Sky ™ serial , all of which are sweetly scented . The 36 - inch - marvelous ‘ Sunrise ’ was the first , and directly deliver the goods gardeners over with its sprightly reflexed , citrus yellow petals . Next come ‘ Sunset ’ , which boast vibrant salmon - Orange River petals and a prominent brown cone on 30 - inch - tall stem . Then the 24 - inch - tall ‘ Twilight ’ jumped on board , offer a sensational red cone surrounded by roseate petal . ‘ Matthew Saul ’ , also roll in the hay as Harvest Moon ™ , march on to the scenery next with bright golden petals and a gilded orange cone reach 30 inches marvellous . Last , but certainly not least , is the latest debut ‘ Evan Saul ’ , commonly referred to as Sundown ™ . arrive at 36 inches in height , this coneflower has unforgettable orange - red flower petal and a mysterious red cone cell .

These wonderful loan-blend have all inherited the large green leaves , strong ramification stems , encompassing flower petals , and profuse blooming leaning ofE. purpurea . Once they become constitute , they are fairly drought broad — even in hot , verbose conditions . They do their best in full Lord’s Day and average , well - debilitate garden soil , and they flower from midsummer until other fall with deadheading .

Favored by the butterflies and bees in summertime , the flowers produce attractive seed heads that are a worthful food source for small bird in winter . Like the “ former - fashioned ” purple coneflowers , the fellow member of the Big Sky ™ series make superb thin bloom and are capital in stately borders , cottage garden , naturalise meadows , and container . Just be sure to place them close enough to where you’re able to revel their fragrance as it wafts by on a summertime breeze .

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