Echinacea KISMET® 'Intense Orange'

Echinacea KISMET® 'Intense Orange': Blazing Orange From June to Frost

'Intense Orange' is not a suggestion, it's a warning. Big single orange daisies on a compact plant that blooms its first year and keeps the heat on until fall. THIS IS A TRAFFIC CONE WITH TASTE.

Plant Characteristics:

• Botanical Name: Echinacea hybrid 'TNECHKIO'
• Common Name: Coneflower
• Series: KISMET®, from Terra Nova® Nurseries
• Height: 40–45 cm (16–18 in) in flower
• Spread: 60 cm (24 in)
• Flowers: Large single orange daisies around a coppery cone, held just above the foliage
• Bloom Time: Early summer to fall (June to October)
• Foliage: Dark green leaves in a compact, upright, well-branched mound
• Features: Long bloom season, blooms the first year, good cut flower
• Plant Patent: PP28,769

Where to Plant: At this size it fits the front of a sunny border, a small garden or a patio container, and repeating it along a path makes a ribbon of orange. It suits pollinator gardens and handles dry, sunny strips near the road.

Companion Plants: Baptisia australis grows into a 90 to 120 cm clump with blue flowers in May and June, a sturdy backdrop for orange. Agastache 'Blue Fortune' adds blue spikes from July to September, a strong complement to bright orange. At the edge, Sedum 'Red Carpet' forms a low mat with red flowers from June to August. Give them full sun and good drainage.

Plant Care: Plant in full sun in average, well-drained soil. Coneflowers dislike wet feet, so avoid low spots where water sits in winter. Water regularly during the first season, then let it handle normal summer dryness on its own. Deadhead spent flowers to keep new buds coming through fall. Leave the last round of seed heads for birds if you like, and cut back the stems in early spring. Divide in spring every few years if the centre gets crowded.

History: The KISMET® series comes from Terra Nova® Nurseries in Oregon, built through interspecific breeding over many generations for more crowns per plant, more first-year flowers and better winter survival. 'Intense Orange' is one of the early members of the series and is patented as PP28,769.

Final Thoughts: Pop it in a sunny pot by the door and let the hummingbirds direct traffic. SUBTLE WAS NEVER ON THE MENU.