Echinacea Firefinch (30)ct Flat

Description

Product Description

Echinacea SUMMERSONG™ Firefinch™ US7,982,110 (30)ct FlatCommon Name: Coneflowerformerly known as LAKOTA™ Fire

This seed strain shows a variety of beautiful shades of red, varying from reddish-orange to pinkish red. Each 3½” flower has horizontal petals. With a shorter stature, it is a great fit for the front of the border, small spaces, and combination containers. Just like other Coneflowers, this will bloom nearly all summer long, all the way up to frost.

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: 12.0-16.0 InchesSpread: 16.0-18.0 InchesHardiness Zones: 4,5,6,7,8,9Flower Color: Red 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: Early to Late SummerAttracts ButterfliesAttracts SongbirdsBee FriendlyDeer ResistantGrowth MediumBorder Plant, Cut Flower, Dried Flower, Drought Tolerant, Easy To Grow, Mass Planting

The Echinacea Summersong™ Firefinch™, formerly known as Lakota™ Fire, was developed by Walters Gardens. It is a compact coneflower with a fusion of pink and red blooms that is effortlessly achieved without pruning or deadheading. This vibrant plant was the first coneflower to be included in the Proven Winners brand. It is a shorter variety of coneflower, reaching a mature height of 12 to 16 inches with a spread of 16 to 18 inches. The Firefinch coneflower blooms from summer through fall and has a long blooming period. The flowers are fragrant and attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies. It is a low-maintenance, drought-tolerant, deer-resistant perennial.

Characteristics of the Echinacea Firefinch

• This coneflower is hardy in zones 4-8.
• It reaches a height of 12-16 inches with a spread of 16-18 inches.
• The flowers exhibit a variety of beautiful shades of red, varying from reddish-orange to pinkish red.
• Each flower has horizontal petals, a unique characteristic that distinguishes it from other coneflowers.
• The foliage is a vibrant green.
• It thrives in full sun or part sun.
• It has low to average water requirements.
• The plant can tolerate a variety of soil qualities, ranging from poor to fertile.
• It can grow in acidic, neutral, or alkaline soil.
• Bloom time is early to late summer.
• It attracts butterflies and is deer resistant.
• The Firefinch coneflower is native to North America.
• Patent number: US7,982,110

Care Instructions for the Echinacea Firefinch The Firefinch coneflower is a low-maintenance plant, especially due to the fact that it does not require deadheading. However, there are a few care instructions to keep in mind to ensure it thrives in your garden.

• Planting When planting coneflowers, choose a site with full sun and moderately rich, well-drained soil. Space plants 1 to 3 feet apart, depending on the variety. Dig a hole twice as wide and slightly deeper than the root ball. Remove the coneflower plant from its nursery pot and gently tease out roots if potbound. Set the plant in the hole with the base level with the soil. Backfill the hole with soil and tamp down slightly to remove air pockets. Water well.
• Soil Coneflower is tolerant of rocky, clay, or sandy soils, but prefers soil that is rich in organic matter. Good drainage is essential to prevent root rot. For containers, use a high-quality all-purpose potting mix.
• Watering Coneflower water requirements can vary depending on the site. Though coneflower is somewhat drought tolerant, it prefers moderate water for best growth and flowering. Allow soil to dry out in between waterings. Irrigate more frequently during heat or dry spells. This native perennial thrives in drought and heat conditions.
• Fertilizing Coneflower does best with little or no supplemental fertilizer. Add a thin layer of compost around the base of plants each spring.
• Pruning Deadheading spent flower heads can help prolong bloom time, but it is not necessary. In late winter or early spring, cut back dead growth before plants break dormancy.

Wildlife Benefits As coneflowers gracefully fade, the seed heads step in, providing food for birds during the fall and winter. The Firefinch coneflower also serves as a host plant for the Silvery Checkerspot butterfly and the Wavy-Lined Emerald moth.

Uses The Firefinch coneflower makes a fantastic cut flower and can be incorporated into arrangements to bring the beauty of the garden indoors.

Companion Plants The Firefinch coneflower can be planted alongside other plants with similar cultural needs of full sun and good drainage. Some companion plants for a mixed border include:

• ‘Morning Light’ ornamental grass
• ‘Blue Boa’ hummingbird mint
• Uptick™ Yellow & Red tickseed
• Rock ‘N Round™ ‘Pure Joy’ stonecrop

The Echinacea Summersong™ Firefinch™ is a vibrant and low-maintenance coneflower that is perfect for beginner gardeners. It is a shorter variety with multicolored blooms in shades of pink and red. This coneflower thrives in sunny locations with well-drained soil and is drought-tolerant once established. It is a great choice for adding color to gardens, borders, and containers. The Firefinch coneflower is also a valuable addition to pollinator gardens and provides food and habitat for wildlife.

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

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