Purple Coneflower-a Popular Herb for Landscaping

Hope coneflower has scented, soft-pink blooms. For each Hope plant purchased, the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation will receive a quarter. Fancy Frills coneflower has scented, semi-double, pink blooms. These resemble sunflowers.

If your interest turns to variegated foliage, there's a new coneflower for you. The foliage of Sparkler coneflower is splashed with cream and green. It's known simply as the variegated coneflower. This dwarf plant only reaches about two feet in height. Four inches wide, the blossoms are rose-pink. These are also noted for their double rows of petals.

The Chicagoland Grows program continues its work with the coneflowers. In the future, they expect to introduce new ones with red, white, and apricot-colored flowers. The program intended for its plants to be sold locally in the Chicago area, so the bulk of those produced remain in the area. Initially only a limited number went to other retail garden centers or mail-order companies, and with so many gardeners clamoring for the few that were available, the pent-up demand has been unbelievable. In 2005, there should be a larger number of the Meadowbrite plants available.

Whatever the kind of purple coneflower you choose, these prefer full sun in a well drained, moist soil. Most purple coneflowers are recommended for USDA zones 4 through 9. In the garden, all the coneflowers are excellent for mass plantings, perennial beds, and mixed borders. For a smashing color combo, interplant the Meadowbrites with spiky, purple-flowering perennials.

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