There are many varieties of coneflowers. These long-stem flowers that are members of the aster family look like daisies in most cases because they have rays surrounding a central disc, but you can divide them into echinacea which grows in zones between 3 and 9, and Rudbeckia hirta with ranges from 2 to 11.
The good news is that once you learn to take care of one coneflower, then it should be easy for the rest.
Light and Temperature Requirements
Coneflowers are a lot like people. When they want to look their best, most will need at least six hours of sunlight daily and prefer it if you live in zones 9 or above because shade during the afternoon can keep them going longer without wilting too quickly!
Coneflowers are one of the most popular flowers to grow in your garden, but it is important that you wait until after a hard freeze before planting. Wait for an average daily high temperature around 65 degrees Fahrenheit (18 Celsius). It is important to know that most varieties will self-seed so it will be easier for you.
Watering
Coneflowers are sturdy plants that can survive in most types of soil. They also need at least 1 inch of water per week, but they will be happier with an extra source during the hottest weeks of summer – give them deep soakings about once a day if it’s not raining!
Avoid overhead watering as this is what causes powdery mildew to form on your flowers’ leaves.
Soil
Cones are a type of flower that will grow in any soil as long as the roots have access to nutrients and water. The good news is they won’t complain if you don’t give them perfect conditions, so avoid planting on heavy clay or rocky areas as this might stunt their growth!
Fertilizer
Just before the emergence of new leaves in early spring, you should fertilize your coneflowers with a 12-6-6 time-release fertilizer at the rate one pound per 100 sq ft. This will help create strong growth and prevent yellowing or browning due to lack of nutrients over winter months.
You may want to cover the top of your coneflowers with 1-inch of compost in the spring. Then, put 2 – 3 inches organic mulch on top for added protection against weeds and pests!
Pruning
Deadheading is a great way to get more flowers, and it’s really simple. Just remove the flower after it has finished blooming down to its stem or branching part for newer buds!
Every two to three years, dig up your original coneflower. Then divide it into bunches and make sure each group has some good roots before replanting them in order for them grow strong again! Throw away any old cores or dead parts from the plants while you’re at it – we don’t want this thing aging too quickly now do we?
Propagation
Coneflowers are perfect flowers. The male part produces pollen which is accepted by the female plant through its pistil after it has finished blooming; when this happens, leave them on your garden to go seed in order for new plants to grow again next spring!
Diseases and Pests
Coneflowers are a healthy plant, but still need to be watched for problems. By being aware you may even stop some of them before they start!
Powdery mildew
Powdery mildews can be a big problem for plants, making them look dusty and unsightly. The best way to prevent powdery mildew is by ensuring that each plant gets enough sunlight.
Also, plant them at least 18-inches apart! Make sure you water from the bottom as well. If these tips don’t work or are not available then use fungicide on your plants before it spreads even more!
Japanese beetles
Japanese beetles are a problem for coneflowers. They’ll usually attack in June, and the most effective way to get rid of them is by hand-picking off plants but this can be time consuming if you have many infested!
The best thing that one could try would be spraying their plants with Neem Oil which will help keep these pests at bay.
To sum up, Coneflowers are a beautiful addition to your landscaping. They need very little care and can self-seed, making them super easy! Watch for powdery mildew or Japanese beetles though – deadheading will encourage more blooms from these pesky pests as well.
With so many choices, this may be the only plant you need for sunny locations in your landscaping.