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
• Plant Patent: USPP 30,750

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: Perovskia 'Denim 'n Lace' makes a soft blue screen at 70 to 80 cm from July to October, flattering these pink coneflowers. Along the edge, Sempervivum 'Kalinda' forms neat rosettes and sends up pink flowers from June to August. Behind them, Helenium autumnale rises to 90 to 150 cm with yellow daisies from July to October. All three thrive in full sun and handle the heat of late summer.

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.