Echinacea in Zone 5B — Mountain West

Echinacea, or coneflower, is a fantastic addition to any Mountain West garden. Its vibrant blooms bring beauty and attract pollinators, adding life to your yard. Plus, the petals can be used to make a soothing tea, perfect for those cool evenings we often have, even in summer.

High altitude gardening presents unique challenges, including intense sun, alkaline soil, and a short 149-day growing season. But with the right timing, you can absolutely grow Echinacea successfully. We'll focus on strategies to get the most out of our brief, but intense, summers.

Starting Echinacea indoors gives you a head start, especially important with our short season. Begin in early to late March, about eight weeks before you plan to transplant. This allows the seedlings to establish before facing our sometimes-unpredictable spring weather.

Use seed trays with a good seed-starting mix and provide warmth and light. Bottom watering is a great way to keep the soil consistently moist without overwatering, which can be a problem in our alkaline soils. A simple setup with grow lights will give your Echinacea the best start.

Transplant your Echinacea seedlings outdoors in early to late May, after the risk of hard frost has passed. Be sure to harden them off for about a week, gradually exposing them to the outdoor elements. This helps them adjust to the intense sun and cool nights that are common here.

Space your plants 18-24 inches apart to allow for good air circulation. While you can start from seed, Echinacea needs cold stratification, so buying starts from a local nursery can be easier. Remember that Echinacea is a perennial, so choose your location carefully.

Direct sowing Echinacea is also an option, especially if you're patient. Sow seeds outdoors in early May through mid June, once the soil has warmed up. Keep in mind that germination can be a bit slower with direct sowing, given our alkaline soil and variable spring temperatures.

Prepare the soil well, ensuring it's loose and well-draining. Plant the seeds at the recommended depth and keep the soil consistently moist until they germinate. Thin seedlings to 18-24 inches apart. Direct sowing can be a bit riskier with our short season, but it’s certainly doable.

Echinacea is very drought-tolerant once established, making it a perfect choice for our dry Mountain West climate. However, that doesn't mean you should neglect it completely, especially during its first year. Finding the right balance is key.

During the first few weeks after transplanting or after seedlings emerge, water regularly to help them establish strong roots. After that, taper off. A good rule of thumb is to water only when the top two inches of soil feel dry to the touch – use the "finger test."

Typically, an inch of water per week is sufficient, but adjust based on rainfall. Water at the base of the plant to avoid wetting the foliage, which can encourage fungal diseases, even in our low-humidity environment. Overwatering can lead to root rot, so err on the side of caution.

Signs of underwatering include wilting leaves, while yellowing leaves can indicate overwatering. Mulching around the base of the plant with gravel or pine needles helps retain moisture and regulate soil temperature, which is especially helpful with our intense sun.

Pruning Echinacea is straightforward. Deadhead spent flowers throughout the growing season to encourage more blooms. Simply snip off the flower heads just below the bloom.

In late winter or early spring, before new growth emerges, cut back the entire plant to a few inches above the ground. This tidies up the plant and promotes vigorous growth in the coming season.

Alternatively, you can leave some seed heads standing over the winter for visual interest and to provide food for birds like goldfinches. It's a matter of personal preference!

You can expect your first Echinacea harvest from early August through early October, about 90 days after planting. The flowers are ready to harvest when they are fully open and vibrant.

To harvest, simply cut the flower stems near the base of the plant. For tea, you can harvest the petals. Gently pluck them from the flower head. Leaving some seed heads for the birds is a great way to support local wildlife.

To encourage continued production, keep deadheading spent flowers throughout the season. As the first frost approaches in early October, you can harvest any remaining flowers or leave them for winter interest. Even after the growing season, the dried seed heads add texture to the winter landscape.

Echinacea is generally low-maintenance, but here are a few problems to watch out for in the Mountain West:

Aster Yellows

• What it looks like: Distorted, greenish flowers, and stunted growth. The plant looks generally unhealthy and deformed.
• What causes it: A disease spread by leafhoppers. It's more prevalent in areas with lots of weeds, which can harbor the leafhoppers.
• How to fix/prevent it: There's no cure. Remove and destroy infected plants immediately to prevent spread. Control leafhopper populations by keeping the garden weed-free.

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 a lacy appearance. They can quickly defoliate a plant.
• What causes it: These beetles are attracted to the scent of damaged plants. They are most active during the warmest part of the summer.
• How to fix/prevent it: Handpick beetles off plants and drop them into a bucket of soapy water. Insecticidal soap or neem oil can also help. Covering plants with netting can provide a physical barrier.

Mountain West Specific Challenges: Our intense sun can stress plants, making them more susceptible to problems. The dry air can actually favor powdery mildew, surprisingly. Be vigilant about watering at the base and providing adequate spacing to combat these issues.

Echinacea thrives alongside certain companion plants in the Mountain West. Tomatoes and peppers make excellent neighbors because they enjoy similar full-sun conditions and don't compete for nutrients.

Herbs like rosemary and thyme are also great companions. Their strong scents can help deter pests that might bother your Echinacea. Avoid planting Echinacea near anything that will shade it out, as it needs full sun to flourish in our short growing season.