Echinacea 'Ruby Star'

Echinacea 'Ruby Star': Ruby Red and Ramrod Straight

'Ruby Star' holds its deep carmine petals out flat like it's posing for a red carpet only it can see. Tall, sturdy and totally confident in its angles. THE PAPARAZZI ARE BUTTERFLIES.

Plant Characteristics:

• Botanical Name: Echinacea purpurea 'Rubinstern'
• Common Name: Purple Coneflower
• Height: 90–100 cm (35–39 in)
• Spread: 45–60 cm (18–24 in)
• Flowers: Large, deep carmine-pink petals held flat around a brown cone
• Bloom Time: Midsummer to early fall (July to September)
• Foliage: Deep green, coarse leaves on an upright clump
• Features: Good cut flower, seed heads for winter interest and birds

Where to Plant: At close to a metre tall, it belongs in the middle or back of a sunny border, in a meadow planting or in a pollinator garden. It handles cold winters easily and tolerates clay, as long as the drainage is decent.

Companion Plants: Plant 'Ruby Star' in a sunny, dry bed with hot pink in spring and white in fall. Phlox subulata 'Drummond's Pink' carpets the front at 10 to 15 cm with hot pink flowers in May and June. Dianthus Rockin'™ Red adds vivid red, fringed flowers at 45 to 60 cm from June to September. Sedum Puff Pastry™ White Chocolate brings creamy white heads at 30 to 35 cm from August to October. Festuca Beyond Blue™ edges the bed with intense blue tufts at 23 to 30 cm.

Plant Care: Plant in full sun to part sun in average, well-drained soil. Rich soil isn't needed and can make the stems flop. Water regularly the first season, then only during long dry spells. Deadhead through summer for more flowers, but leave the last round standing. Goldfinches love the seeds, and the cones look good in snow. Cut back in early spring. Divide in spring every few years if the clump gets crowded, and move any self-sown seedlings then too.

History: 'Ruby Star', known in German as 'Rubinstern', was produced by Jelitto Seeds of Germany. Its parent, Echinacea purpurea, is a wildflower of open woods and prairies in central and eastern North America.

Final Thoughts: Leave the seed heads standing in winter and the birds will keep the show going. A STAR THAT NEVER CANCELS THE TOUR.