Echinacea Sombrero® Tres Amigos

Echinacea Sombrero® Tres Amigos: Pinks That Keep Changing Their Mind

Peachy coral, then rosy pink, then burgundy, all on the same plant at the same time. This coneflower is three outfits, one closet and absolutely NO DECISION-MAKING REQUIRED.

Plant Characteristics:

• Botanical Name: Echinacea hybrid 'Balsomtresgo'
• Common Name: Coneflower
• Series: Sombrero®, a Proven Winners® perennial
• Height: 46–51 cm (18–20 in)
• Spread: 56–61 cm (22–24 in)
• Flowers: Open peachy coral, age to rosy pink and finish burgundy
• Bloom Time: Summer into early fall (July to September)
• Foliage: Deep green, on an upright, well-branched plant
• Features: Tolerates dry spells once established, seed heads feed songbirds

Where to Plant: Its shifting colours make it a natural focal point at the front or middle of a sunny border, and it is tall enough to act as the thriller in a container. It tolerates dry spells once established, and seed heads left standing in fall bring in goldfinches.

Companion Plants: Plant Tres Amigos in a sunny, dry bed with lavender-pink, white and tall gold. Armeria Dreameria® 'Sweet Dreams' edges the front with lavender-pink globes at 25 to 30 cm from May to September. Lavandula 'Alba' adds fragrant white spikes at 35 to 60 cm from June to September. Helianthus 'Sunshine Daydream' rises behind at 150 to 180 cm with double gold blooms from July to October. Schizachyrium Prairie Winds® 'Blue Paradise' adds silvery blue blades at 90 to 105 cm.

Plant Care: Give it full sun, six hours or more, in average, well-drained soil. Keep it away from spots that stay soggy in winter, which matters in heavy clay. Water regularly the first season, then only during long dry spells. Deadhead through summer to encourage more blooms. Let the last flowers go to seed, then cut the stems back in early spring. Divide in spring if the clump gets crowded.

History: The Sombrero® series was developed by Darwin Perennials for compact, heavy-flowering coneflowers. Echinacea is a North American genus of prairies and open woodland, and its name comes from the Greek echinos, meaning hedgehog, for the spiky cone.

Final Thoughts: Plant one and it looks like you planted three. THE BEST MATH YOUR GARDEN WILL EVER DO.