Once out of the ground, use the shovel to cut the clump into sections. For large clumps, have a friend help you lift it out or cut the plant into sections to make it easier to lift. Using the shovel, lever the plant out of the ground. Dig as deeply as possible to keep the roots intact. When you're ready to dig up your coneflower, take a shovel and cut into the soil in a circle about 6 inches wider than the plant. Once the plant has been transplanted, keep it watered and provide a screen to protect it from the sun for a week or two. Before or after moving the plant, cut back all the flower heads to encourage root development.
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If you must transplant your coneflowers in summer, choose a cloudy day to make the move. Hot, dry summer weather also adds stress to a newly transplanted plant and may kill your coneflower. While in bloom, the plants put most of their energy into flower production, meaning the plants will have less energy to put down roots. It's not advisable to dig and move your coneflowers in summer. For most coneflowers this will be sometime in April. When moving coneflowers in the spring, wait until new shoots sprout from the soil. Spring days also tend to be cool and cloudy - perfect weather for transplanting. This means spring-transplanted coneflowers will quickly put down new roots once moved. In spring, you're not only itching to get in the garden, but your coneflowers are vigorously growing. Spring is another good time to dig and move coneflowers. Typically, this will be some time in late September through October. When moving coneflowers in the fall, wait until the flowers have faded before digging up the plants. You can also evaluate which areas of the plant didn't do well over the growing season and remove them once you've dug up the plant.
#Purple coneflower seedlings full size
Because the clump is still leafy, you can see the full size of the plant, making it easier to determine exactly where to dig. To ensure your plants survive being transplanted, it's important to choose the right time of year for this project.įall is an excellent time to dig and divide coneflowers.
![purple coneflower seedlings purple coneflower seedlings](http://newhamptonprairie.pbworks.com/f/1391092715/echinacea-purpurea-rubinstern-1.jpg)
Although coneflowers are drought-tolerant and require little maintenance, they will benefit from being divided every three to four years. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 3 through 10, depending on which species you select. With their colorful daisylike blooms and ability to attract bees and butterflies, coneflowers (Echinacea spp.) make an excellent addition to sunny gardens. BUT water, water and water as dry as it is out this fall would be by other advice.Ĭoneflowers should be divided every three to four years. It is not known whether or not colorful new varieties of Echinacea have medicinal properties that compare to older strains, which are preferred by butterflies.I was asked this question about coneflowers, and this is what I found out. For enhancing immunity to colds, echinacea tinctures or teas are taken every few hours for several days. Small divisions with skimpy root systems can be replanted and allowed to grow for another year. Harvestingĭig plants in early fall to harvest the roots. NotesĮchinacea is grown for its beautiful flowers and for the medicinal properties of teas and tinctures made from roots, leaves and flowers. Our Garden Planner can produce a personalized calendar of when to sow, plant and harvest for your area.
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Echinacea often does not bloom reliably until its second year in the garden. Start seeds indoors in late winter and set out seedlings, or start with purchased plants. Rows: 11" (30cm) with 1' 3" (40cm) row gap (minimum) Sow and Plant Single Plants: 1' 1" (35cm) each way (minimum) CompanionsĮchinacea’s purple blossoms contrast well with pink, yellow or orange flowers. Spread rich compost over the dormant plants each winter. Plants become dormant in winter and re-emerge in spring. Frost tolerantĮchinacea is a hardy perennial that survives very cold winters. Positionįull sun in cool climates, partial afternoon shade where summers are very hot.