.: Coneflower or Echinacea - the best thing for your bed
By:Doug Green
Category:Home / Home / Gardening
There are few things more exciting for gardeners at this time of year than dreaming of new plants. I’ll focus on a few of the better plants in the next few weeks but let’s start with the best example of new breeding.
Our old North American native friend Echinacea or purple coneflower is really letting loose this coming spring. The work of several major plant-breeding houses is coming to the market and while the plants will be expensive, they are wonderful. The double flowering ‘Razzmatazz’ with its double pink flowers are quite hardy as well as gorgeous. It will be complemented by ‘Doppelganger’ a coneflower that puts one blossom right on top of the first, resembling an apartment of flowers rather than a single bloom. Note that this double-decker flower usually comes into its own in the second year. This one has caught the imagination of the nursery trade almost as much as ‘Sparkler’ a variegated leaf coneflower. The variegation in ‘Sparkler’ is flecked throughout the leaf while the variegation in the equally new ‘Prairie Frost’ is a broad band of cream around each leaf.
I’m also looking forward to having ‘Fragrant Angel’ in my garden as its large white blooms are extremely fragrant. Add the ‘Rocky Top Hybrids’ to this list of coneflowers (mauve flowers and compact growth) and you have an entire menu of new Echinacea to find this coming summer. Two dwarf plants ‘Kim’s Mophead’ and ‘Kim’s Knee High’ will find themselves in my clay pots along with the ‘Rocky Top Hybrids’.
Echinacea ‘Big Sky Sunrise’ has soft lemon-yellow blooms and is a knock out plant in my garden while its cousin ‘Big Sky Sunset’ has wide, very bright orange petals. These are both plants to watch for and pay the price. Hardy in my zone 4 garden.
Plant all these in full sun in well-drained soils and you’ll enjoy them for years. They’re trouble free and easy to grow plants!
Article keywords: echinacea, coneflower, perennial flowers
Article Source: http://www.articles32.com
Doug Green, award winning garden author with 7 books published, answers gardening questions in his free newsletter at www.gardening-tips-perennials.com
.: New Gardening Articles
1). The Truth About Hosta Virus X
Hosta Virus X or HVX as it is known by its acronym is a dangerous, contagious virus that is killing hostas in both North America and Europe. It first started showing up in North America about five years ago when mutated looking plants with strange markings and mottled leaves started growing in nurseries and home gardens.
2). Keeping Cats Out Of Your Garden
Your first line of defense when keeping cats out of your garden is to make sure that you have your boundaries secure.
3). Perennials Are Great Additions to Any Garden
Choose perennials for a different and interesting look to your garden. Learn more.
4). Tips For Installing And Maintaining Water Gardens
Water Gardens can be a a beautiful and tranquil addition to any garden. Learn more.
5). Garden Statues Can Give Your Garden That Exclusive Look
Garden Statues can inject class and distinction to any garden. Learn more.
6). Grey Gardens Within Green Gardens For A Different Look
Grey gardens are generally low maintenance and hassle free. Learn more.
7). All You Need To Know About A Garden Tractor
Selecting the right garden tractor for your garden is as important as buying the right car. Learn more.
.: Top Gardening Articles
1). A Guide to Different Types of Shrubs for Your Garden
Among the bewildering lists of shrubs, certain names stand out as new and unusual, or, on the other hand, tried and familiar. These include both the evergreen and deciduous types.
2). Beautiful Calla Lilies
The Calla Lilies are plants belonging to the Zantedeschia genus in the Araceae family. The genus contains seven plant species and they are all commonly referred to as Calla Lillies. Some of them have other common names as well. Zantedeschia aethiopica is also known as giant white arum lily and common arum lily. Zantedeschia albomaculata is sometimes sold as spotted arum lily, and Zantedeschia rehmannii is known as the pink arum lily.
3). Increase Curb Appeal With Flowering Shrubs and Bushes
If you want to create a home with more curb appeal or, simply add color to the side or back property, you have many excellent options with flowering bushes. Depending on the type of bush you choose, you will end up with gorgeous blooms at varying times of year, giving your home a new, fresh, and exciting look. Adding a bush with vibrant red, yellow, or purple blooms will completely transform the appearance of your home, making it more inviting.
4). How to Propagate Your Plants
Certain varieties of perennials can be used to create new plants. This is accomplished by the use of various propagation methods.
5). Florist Tips - Making Fresh Flowers Last Longer
By following a few simple steps on how to treat cut flowers, you will have the pleasure of them lasting so much longer. Once the stems of flowers have been cut you have removed their life support system, so flowers should be placed in water as soon as possible.
Picking Your Own Flowers
If you are picking your own flowers it is best to do this in the morning or the late evening.
6). Mulching Benefits / Organic And Inorganic Mulch Types
Mulching is the practice of placing a loose surface onto the surface of soil in your flower or vegetable garden in order to protect, insulate and beautify the area. This loose covering is called a mulch and it can be either of an organic or inorganic variety. Examples of mulches include compost, stone and grass clippings. Every gardener should understand the many benefits of mulching the soil in their garden.
7). Organic Gardening - The Pros And Cons
Picture three ripe red tomatoes arranged on a wooden cutting board awaiting your pleasure. They've each come from a different source: can you tell which one was grown organically?
Two of the tomatoes were lovingly tended in backyards - one in a conventional garden and the other in an organic garden. The third tomato came from the supermarket, and it's easy to eliminate from the guessing game.