did you know?

Coneflower was widely used by Native Americans to treat snake and insect bites and to bathe burns. They also sprinkled it on embers during ceremonial purifying sweats and rubbed the juice of its roots on their hands, feet, and mouths to anesthetize themselves to pain.

general maintenance:

To prolong the flowering season, deadhead spent flowers.

pests/diseases:

Leaf miners and powdery mildew may occur.

controls:

Remove leaves damaged by leaf miners. To discourage powdery mildew, space plants for adequate air circulation, and avoid watering leaves directly. Remove and destroy severely infected plants, and pick off diseased leaves where practical.

how to sow/plant:

Start with new plants or divisions. Plant in spring or fall. Choose a sunny site with moist, well-drained soil. Set plants at the same depth they were in pots, spacing at a distance equal to their mature spread. Water after planting, and mulch to conserve moisture.

water and fertilize:

During growing season, allow soil to dry between watering. When growth begins in spring, feed with an all-purpose fertilizer, following label directions.

garden hint:

As the end of the flowering season approaches, don't deadhead flowers; leave them standing in fall and winter as food for goldfinches and other birds.

features:

• Attractive Flowers
• Attractive Foliage
• Attractive Fruit
• Attracts Birds
• Attracts Butterflies
• Drought Tolerant
• Heirloom
• Native
• Winter Interest

garden uses:

• Flowerbed borders
• Naturalizing

other uses:

• Cut Flower
• Everlasting (>)
• Medicinal (root extracts may boost the immune system)

combine with:

bee balm feverfew foxglove and sage for a flowering herb or border garden.