Echinacea in Zone 7A — Mid-Atlantic

Echinacea, also known as coneflower, is a fantastic addition to any Mid-Atlantic garden. Not only are its daisy-like flowers beautiful in bouquets, but they also attract pollinators and provide seeds for birds throughout our four seasons. Plus, a tea made from the petals is a soothing remedy for seasonal sniffles.

Our humid summers can present challenges, but with the right timing and a little attention to airflow, you can easily grow healthy Echinacea. With our 208-day growing season, you have plenty of time to enjoy these beauties from summer into fall.

Starting Echinacea indoors is an option, especially if you want a head start, but keep in mind that these seeds benefit from cold stratification. If you're particular about a specific variety, or just enjoy the process of starting seeds, it's worth a shot.

You can start seeds indoors from early to late February, about eight weeks before you plan to transplant them outside. Use seed trays with a good seed-starting mix, provide warmth (a heat mat is helpful), and make sure they get plenty of light, either from a sunny window or a grow light. Bottom watering helps keep the seedlings evenly moist without overwatering, which can be a problem with our moderate spring humidity.

Transplanting Echinacea seedlings outdoors is best done from early to late April, after the danger of a hard frost has passed. Before planting, be sure to harden off your seedlings by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions for about a week. This prevents shock.

Space your plants 18-24 inches apart to allow for good air circulation, which is important in our humid climate. Keep in mind that Echinacea is a perennial, so choose a location where it can thrive for years to come. Honestly, though, buying starts from a local nursery is a great way to skip the stratification issues and get reliable results.

Direct sowing Echinacea is a simple way to get them started, and it eliminates the need for transplanting. Sow seeds outdoors from early April through mid July, when the soil has warmed up a bit.

Prepare the soil by loosening it and removing any weeds. Since Echinacea prefers well-drained soil, amend heavy clay soil with compost or other organic matter. Sow the seeds about ¼ inch deep and keep the soil consistently moist until they germinate. Space seedlings to 18-24 inches apart as they grow. You might not get blooms the first year, but be patient.

Echinacea is a champ when it comes to drought tolerance, making it a great choice for our Mid-Atlantic gardens. Once established, it needs very little supplemental watering, which is good because we get pretty even rainfall. However, getting them established requires some attention.

During the first few weeks after planting, water regularly to help them develop strong roots. After that, let the soil dry out between waterings. A good rule of thumb is to use the "finger test"—stick your finger into the soil about two inches deep. If it feels dry, it's time to water. Generally, an inch of water per week (including rainfall) is sufficient. Water at the base of the plant to avoid wetting the foliage, which can encourage fungal diseases in our humid summers.

Signs of underwatering include wilting leaves and stunted growth. Overwatering can lead to root rot, so watch out for yellowing leaves and a mushy base. A layer of mulch around the base of the plants will help retain moisture and suppress weeds.

Pruning Echinacea is pretty straightforward. Deadheading, or removing spent flowers, encourages more blooms throughout the season. Simply snip off the flower heads just below the lowest petals.

You can deadhead throughout the summer and into early fall. Alternatively, leave some of the seed heads intact to provide food for birds like goldfinches during the winter months, and for winter interest in the garden. In late winter, after the first frost around late October has passed, cut back the entire plant to the ground to make way for new growth in the spring.

You can expect your first Echinacea harvest from early July through early November, about 90 days after planting. The flowers are ready to harvest when the petals are fully open and the central cone is prominent.

To harvest, simply cut the stems at the base of the plant, leaving several inches of stem attached to the flower head. This encourages the plant to produce more blooms. You can harvest the petals for tea or other medicinal uses. Just gently pull them off the flower head and dry them. Remember to leave some seed heads on the plants for the birds. As the first frost approaches in late October, you can harvest any remaining flower heads and dry them for later use.

Even though Echinacea is relatively easy to grow, there are a few problems to watch out for in the Mid-Atlantic.

Aster Yellows

• What it looks like: Distorted, greenish flowers and stunted growth. The plant may develop a witches' broom appearance.
• What causes it: A disease transmitted by leafhoppers.
• How to fix/prevent it: Unfortunately, there is no cure for aster yellows. Remove and destroy infected plants 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 the leaves, leaving behind a lacy appearance.
• What causes it: Japanese beetles are attracted to the scent of damaged plants.
• How to fix/prevent it: Handpick beetles and drop them into a bucket of soapy water. Cover plants with netting during peak beetle activity. Neem oil can also deter them.

Mid-Atlantic Specific Challenges: Our moderate-to-hot summers and humid humidity can create ideal conditions for fungal diseases like powdery mildew, so good air circulation is key. The even rainfall we get usually means you don't need to water much, but make sure to monitor your plants, especially during dry spells.

Echinacea benefits from companion planting. Tomatoes and peppers make good companions because they attract beneficial insects that prey on pests that might bother your Echinacea.

Herbs like rosemary and thyme also make excellent companions. Their strong scents deter pests like Japanese beetles. Avoid planting Echinacea near aggressive spreaders like mint, as they can compete for resources and crowd out your coneflowers.