Echinacea KISMET® 'Intense Orange'

Echinacea KISMET® 'Intense Orange': Blazing Orange From June to Frost

'Intense Orange' is not a suggestion, it's a warning. Big single orange daisies on a compact plant that blooms its first year and keeps the heat on until fall. THIS IS A TRAFFIC CONE WITH TASTE.

Plant Characteristics:

• Botanical Name: Echinacea hybrid 'TNECHKIO'
• Common Name: Coneflower
• Series: KISMET®, from Terra Nova® Nurseries
• Height: 40–45 cm (16–18 in) in flower
• Spread: 60 cm (24 in)
• Flowers: Large single orange daisies around a coppery cone, held just above the foliage
• Bloom Time: Early summer to fall (June to October)
• Foliage: Dark green leaves in a compact, upright, well-branched mound
• Features: Long bloom season, blooms the first year, good cut flower

Where to Plant: At this size it fits the front of a sunny border, a small garden or a patio container, and repeating it along a path makes a ribbon of orange. It suits pollinator gardens and handles dry, sunny strips near the road.

Companion Plants: Plant this compact orange coneflower in a sunny, dry bed with violet and pink and a tall native grass. Allium 'Globemaster' opens big violet globes at 60 to 90 cm in May and June. Sedum SunSparkler® 'Wildfire' adds deep pink flowers at 10 to 15 cm in August and September. Salvia 'Blue Hill' brings clear violet-blue spikes at 45 to 60 cm from June to September. Sorghastrum nutans rises behind at 90 to 180 cm in flower, a native Indian grass.

Plant Care: Plant in full sun in average, well-drained soil. Coneflowers dislike wet feet, so avoid low spots where water sits in winter. Water regularly during the first season, then let it handle normal summer dryness on its own. Deadhead spent flowers to keep new buds coming through fall. Leave the last round of seed heads for birds if you like, and cut back the stems in early spring. Divide in spring every few years if the centre gets crowded.

History: The KISMET® series comes from Terra Nova® Nurseries in Oregon, built through interspecific breeding over many generations for more crowns per plant, more first-year flowers and better winter survival. 'Intense Orange' is one of the early members of the series.

Final Thoughts: Pop it in a sunny pot by the door and let the hummingbirds direct traffic. SUBTLE WAS NEVER ON THE MENU.