Echinacea in Zone 3B — Mountain West

Echinacea, also known as coneflower, is a fantastic addition to any Mountain West garden. Not only does it provide beautiful blooms from midsummer into fall, but it also attracts pollinators like bees and butterflies. Plus, you can harvest the petals for tea! The cool nights we experience, even in summer, seem to intensify the flavor of anything we grow here.

Our short growing season and intense UV light can be a challenge, but with careful timing, you can absolutely grow thriving Echinacea. With a growing season around 108 days, starting seeds indoors or buying starts is your best bet to get a jumpstart.

Starting Echinacea indoors is a good option if you want a head start on the season. Begin in late March through early April, about eight weeks before the last expected frost. This timing takes advantage of our late spring, giving you the best chance for strong transplants.

Use seed trays filled with a well-draining seed-starting mix. Keep the soil consistently moist by bottom watering – setting the tray in a shallow dish of water until the surface is damp. Place the trays in a warm location with plenty of light, either from a sunny window or a grow light.

Transplant your Echinacea seedlings outdoors in late May, after the risk of frost has passed. Before transplanting, harden off your seedlings by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions for about a week. This helps them adjust to the intense sun and temperature swings we often experience in the spring.

When transplanting, space your Echinacea plants 18-24 inches apart to allow for proper air circulation. Given that Echinacea is a perennial and needs cold stratification to germinate well, you might find it easier to buy established starts from your local nursery for more reliable results.

Direct sowing Echinacea is possible, but it can be less reliable in our short season. Wait until late May, when the soil has warmed up, to sow your seeds directly into the garden.

Prepare the soil by loosening it and removing any weeds. Sow the seeds about ¼ inch deep and keep the soil consistently moist until they germinate. Thin the seedlings to 18-24 inches apart once they are a few inches tall.

Echinacea is very drought-tolerant once established, making it an ideal plant for our dry Mountain West climate. It's a native plant that actually thrives in poor, dry soil, so don't be tempted to overwater it!

During the first few weeks after transplanting, water regularly to help the plants establish strong roots. After that, water only when the top two inches of soil feel dry to the touch – use the "finger test." In our dry climate, this might mean watering deeply once a week, providing about an inch of water. Always water at the base of the plant to avoid wetting the foliage, which can encourage fungal diseases in some years.

Signs of underwatering include wilting leaves and stunted growth. Overwatering, on the other hand, can lead to root rot, which is indicated by yellowing leaves and a mushy stem. A light layer of mulch around the base of the plants can help retain moisture and suppress weeds, but be sure to use a material that doesn't hold too much moisture.

Pruning Echinacea is simple and helps encourage more blooms. Throughout the growing season, deadhead spent flowers by cutting the stem just below the flower head. This will encourage the plant to produce more flowers.

In late winter or early spring, before new growth emerges, cut back the entire plant to a few inches above the ground. Alternatively, you can leave the seed heads standing over the winter for visual interest and to provide food for birds.

You can expect your first Echinacea harvest in late August through mid September, about 90 days after planting. The flowers will bloom from midsummer to fall, providing a long season of color.

Harvest the petals for tea when the flowers are fully open and the petals are vibrant. Simply snip off the petals with scissors or gently pull them from the flower head. Leave some seed heads on the plants to attract goldfinches – they love the seeds! As the first frost approaches in early September, you can harvest any remaining flowers or seed heads to dry for later use.

Here are some common problems you might encounter growing Echinacea in the Mountain West:

Aster Yellows

• What it looks like: Distorted, greenish flowers, often with tufts of growth in the center. The plant may also be stunted and have yellowed leaves.
• What causes it: A disease spread by leafhoppers. There is no cure.
• How to fix/prevent it: Remove and destroy infected plants immediately to prevent the spread of the disease. Control leafhopper populations with insecticidal soap.

Powdery Mildew

• What it looks like: White or grayish powdery coating on leaves, stems, and sometimes fruit. Leaves curl, yellow, and die. Reduces plant vigor.
• What causes it: Various fungi that thrive in warm days, cool nights, and moderate humidity. Dry leaf surfaces actually favor it (unlike most fungi).
• How to fix/prevent it: Improve air circulation through spacing and pruning. Remove affected leaves. Neem oil or potassium bicarbonate sprays help. Milk spray (1 part milk to 9 parts water) is surprisingly effective. Plant resistant varieties.

Japanese Beetles

• What it looks like: Metallic green beetles that skeletonize leaves, leaving behind a lacy appearance.
• What causes it: Japanese beetles are attracted to stressed or damaged plants.
• How to fix/prevent it: Handpick beetles off plants and drop them into a bucket of soapy water. Use insecticidal soap or neem oil to control infestations.

Mountain West Specific Challenges: Our intense sun can sometimes scorch leaves if plants are not properly acclimated. Our alkaline soil can also be an issue; amend your soil with compost to improve drainage and lower the pH. Hail can also damage plants, so consider using row covers or netting if hail is predicted.

Echinacea thrives alongside companions that offer mutual benefits. Tomatoes and peppers make good companions because they enjoy similar growing conditions – full sun and well-drained soil. Plus, Echinacea attracts pollinators that will also benefit your vegetable crops.

Herbs like lavender and rosemary are also excellent companions for Echinacea. They attract beneficial insects and their aromatic foliage can help deter pests. Avoid planting Echinacea near plants that require consistently moist soil, as this can lead to overwatering and root rot.