Coneflowers | Echinacea

Echinacea or coneflower cultivars have undergone many changes in the past few years. New colors, sizes and flower shapes keep coming, but each new cultivar has to be compared to the original, Magnus. This classic echinacea has large, deep-pink flowers that are long lasting and are produced all summer. If there’s any problem it’s that it grows to a height of about 4 feet.

About 20 years ago a dwarf form was found and named Kim’s Knee High. It is the same as Magnus but grows about a foot shorter.

Since then, the echinacea family has exploded with new cultivars.

For years White Swan has been the best of the white echinacea. This year, new dwarf plant Avalanche looks like a winner. The large white flowers have a dark gold cone and are on stems that are only 15 to 18 inches tall. Avalanche will blossom from July to September.

Elton Knight grows into a bushy plant that produces pink flowers reaching up to 6 inches in diameter. The stems are strong enough not to need staking.

If your garden doesn’t include echinacea and you have a sunny spot, try one or more -you will not regret it.

IN YOUR GARDEN: Glorious gladioli

Written by Jenny Watts

Gladiolus has long been a favorite flower in the florist trade for its stately beauty in arrangements. But it also lends an air of dramatic beauty to the garden.

These magnificent flowers originated in South Africa and are members of the iris family. They come in almost every color, except true blue, and stand tall on 3- to 6-foot stems.

They grow from a corm, like a bulb, that needs to be planted in the spring for flowers this summer. The funnel-shaped flowers flare out and usually are ruffled at the edges. They open from the bottom up, and all face in one direction. The leaves are shaped like swords and arranged in narrow, upright fans.

Glads make excellent cut flowers. Cut the stems when the bottom flower is fully opened. Most of the remaining buds will open, a few at a time, almost to the tip. Pick off the faded flowers and they will last for about 10 days in the vase.

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