Echinacea SunMagic® Vintage Ruby

Echinacea SunMagic® Vintage Ruby: Ruby Coneflowers Branching From the Base

Large ruby-red daisies around a big central cone, so rich in colour they look like they belong under glass at an auction house. This coneflower doesn't do knockoffs. IT'S THE REAL THING, AND IT'S ALL YOURS.

Plant Characteristics:

• Botanical Name: Echinacea hybrid
• Common Name: Coneflower
• Series: SunMagic® Vintage, from Bull Plant Genetics
• Height: 45–60 cm (18–24 in)
• Spread: 45–60 cm (18–24 in)
• Flowers: Large ruby-red daisies around a prominent central cone
• Bloom Time: Early summer to early fall (June to September)
• Foliage: Green, on a compact, mounding, well-branched plant
• Features: Good cut flower

Where to Plant: Its short, rounded habit suits the front of a sunny border, a pollinator bed or a large container. It's also worth a spot in a cutting bed, since it keeps making more flowers.

Companion Plants: Give Vintage Ruby a sunny, dry bed with purple in spring, violet spikes and lemon pea flowers. Aubrieta 'Rock On Purple' carpets the front at 10 to 15 cm with purple flowers from April to June. Salvia 'Caradonna' adds violet spikes on dark stems at 45 to 60 cm from June to August. Baptisia Decadence® 'Lemon Meringue' brings lemon-yellow spikes at 90 cm in June and July. Andropogon 'Red October' rises behind at 150 to 180 cm, turning deep red in fall.

Plant Care: Plant in full sun, in average, well-drained soil. Coneflowers handle clay, but not a crown sitting in cold water all winter, so avoid low, soggy spots. Water through the first summer until the roots settle in, then only in long dry spells. Rich soil and extra fertilizer aren't needed. Deadhead to encourage more buds. Let the last flowers go to seed for winter interest and the finches, then cut back in early spring. Divide in spring only if the clump becomes crowded.

History: Bull Plant Genetics in Germany developed the SunMagic® Vintage series for strong branching from the base, aiming for a compact plant with flowers on every stem. The genus name Echinacea comes from the Greek for hedgehog, describing the bristly cone.

Final Thoughts: Cut a few for the table and leave the rest for the butterflies. NO SAFE DEPOSIT BOX REQUIRED.