Echinacea ‘Watermelon Sugar’ PPAF (30)ct Flat

Description

Product Description

Echinacea ‘Watermelon Sugar’ PPAF (30)ct FlatDOUBLE DIPPED™ SeriesCommon Name: Coneflower

Double pompom flowers open magenta pink before maturing to a medium pink. Flowers are produced over a large rosette of foliage with almost no exposed stem.

DOUBLE DIPPED™ Echinacea have large, fully double 4½” flowers with wide, overlapping ray petals. Each variety has substantial landscape size at 2-2½’ tall, perfect for the middle of the border. Strong, well-branched stems support the large, numerous heavy flowers with ease. Mounded habit of dark green foliage. Best performance comes in full sun and well-drained soils.

Praised for their cheerful brightly colored flowers, coneflowers are a mainstay in today’s garden. Be sure to leave some spent blooms on the plants in the fall because their seeds provide winter food for finches and other birds. The dried seed heads also provide architectural interest in the winter.

Coneflowers like it sunny and hot. Though they will tolerate light shade, fewer flowers will be produced, and the plants will be weakened. Light, loamy soils are best, but coneflowers will grow in any well-drained soil. Once established, they are quite drought tolerant. If properly cared for, they will form attractive colonies and will live for many years.

Height: 22.0-26.0 InchesSpread: 20.0-24.0 InchesHardiness Zones: 4,5,6,7,8Flower Color: Pink shadesFoliage Color: Green shadesFull Sun (> 6 hrs. Direct Sun) to Part Shade (4-6 hrs. Direct Sun)Low to Average Water NeedsPoor to Fertile Soil QualityBloomtime: Midsummer to Late SummerDeer ResistantSeasonal Interest: Dried Seed HeadsGrowth Rate: Medium

Border Plant, Container, Cut Flower, Dried Flower, Fragrant Flowers, Mass Planting

Echinacea ‘Watermelon Sugar’ is a delightful coneflower that adds a burst of vibrant color to the garden. Here is a breakdown of what makes it special:

What Makes Echinacea ‘Watermelon Sugar’ Special

• Vibrant Color: It boasts large, double flowers in a stunning shade of magenta pink that fades to a lighter pink as they mature, reminiscent of a ripe watermelon.
• Double Flowers: Unlike traditional coneflowers with single petals, ‘Watermelon Sugar’ has fully double, pom-pom-like flowers that are extra showy.
• Long Blooming Period: It blooms profusely from mid-summer to late summer, providing weeks of color.
• Compact Size: It is a relatively compact variety, making it suitable for smaller gardens and containers.
• Attracts Pollinators: Like other coneflowers, it attracts butterflies, bees, and other beneficial pollinators.
• Deer Resistant: It is generally avoided by deer, which is a bonus for gardeners in areas with deer pressure.

Description and Details

• Common Name: Watermelon Sugar Coneflower
• Botanical Name: Echinacea ‘Watermelon Sugar’
• Mature Size: 22-26 inches tall, 20-24 inches wide
• Foliage: Green, lance-shaped leaves
• Flowers: Double, magenta pink flowers that fade to lighter pink, blooming from mid-summer to late summer
• Growth Habit: Upright, mounding
• Hardiness Zones: 4-8
• Light: Full sun to part sun
• Soil: Well-drained, adaptable to various soil types
• Water: Drought-tolerant once established

Landscaping Design Tips

• Middle of the Border: Its height makes it ideal for the middle of borders, where it can add a pop of color without overshadowing shorter plants.
• Container Gardening: It thrives in containers, making it a great choice for patios and balconies.
• Mass Plantings: Plant it in groups or masses for a more dramatic effect.
• Cottage Gardens: Its vibrant color and upright form make it a good fit for cottage gardens.
• Cut Flower Gardens: The long-lasting flowers are excellent for cutting and arranging.
• Companion Plants: Consider pairing it with other sun-loving perennials with contrasting colors and textures, such as:
• Salvia
• Yarrow (Achillea)
• Ornamental grasses
• Sedum

Planting and Care

• Planting:
• Choose a sunny location with well-drained soil.
• Plant in spring or fall.
• Space plants according to their mature size (about 20-24 inches apart).
• Water thoroughly after planting.
• Care:
• Water regularly until established, then only during prolonged dry spells.
• Fertilize lightly in spring if desired.
• Deadhead spent flowers to encourage more blooms.
• Cut back stems in late fall or early spring.

Additional Notes

• ‘Watermelon Sugar’ is part of the Double Dipped™ series of coneflowers, known for their large, double flowers and strong stems.
• It is a great choice for gardeners looking for a low-maintenance, deer-resistant perennial with long-lasting color.
• The seed heads that remain after the flowers fade provide winter interest and food for birds.

Thirty (30) plants per flat (or tray). Approximate Plug Measurements: 3 inches deep x 2 inches wide.

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