Echinacea Sunny Days™ 'Ruby'

Echinacea Sunny Days™ 'Ruby': Claret Pompoms Holding Their Colour

Claret-ruby petals around a full red centre, all piled up like a velvet cushion in a very fancy waiting room. 'Ruby' sits on stout stems and does not wobble for anybody. PLUSH, POSH AND PLANTED.

Plant Characteristics:

• Botanical Name: Echinacea 'TNECHSDR'
• Common Name: Coneflower
• Series: Sunny Days™, from Terra Nova® Nurseries
• Height: 45–60 cm (18–24 in): foliage about 45 cm (18 in), flowers to about 60 cm (24 in)
• Spread: 60 cm (24 in)
• Flowers: Large, double-looking anemone-type blooms in claret-ruby, with a full red centre, on stout stems
• Bloom Time: Midsummer to mid-fall (July to October)
• Foliage: Green, in a compact, upright mound
• Features: Good cut flower

Where to Plant: Its compact, upright shape fits the front to middle of a sunny border, a pollinator garden or a large container. The stout stems also make it a good choice for a cutting bed.

Companion Plants: Plant Sunny Days™ 'Ruby' in a sunny, dry bed with orange yarrow, indigo catmint and a tall native grass. Lewisia 'Little Plum' tucks in at the front at 15 cm with plum-pink flowers in May and June. Nepeta 'Cat's Pajamas' adds indigo blue spikes at 30 to 35 cm from June to September. Achillea 'Sassy Summer Sunset' brings dark orange heads at 75 to 90 cm from June to August. 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. Clay is fine as long as the crown doesn't sit in water over winter, which is the most common reason double coneflowers don't come back. Water regularly the first summer, then during extended dry spells. Rich soil and extra fertilizer aren't needed. Deadhead to keep new flowers coming into fall. Leave the last seed heads standing over winter and cut back in early spring. Divide in spring only if the clump becomes crowded.

History: Sunny Days™ 'Ruby' was bred by Terra Nova® Nurseries in Canby, Oregon, and released around 2021, from crosses involving three North American species: Echinacea paradoxa, E. purpurea and E. tennesseensis. It was selected for a compact habit, many crowns and colour that holds.

Final Thoughts: Loved by bees and butterflies, ignored by deer, easy on you. THIS IS WHAT LUXURY LOOKS LIKE WITHOUT THE PRICE TAG.