Echinaceas

I love all coneflowers, but must admit a preference for the single form.  Echinacea ‘Double Decker’ is supposed to be just what it sounds like – a coneflower on top of a coneflower. It is usually single in the first year; becoming double in subsequent years. Although this is its fifth year in the garden, so far this year it is single in form and looks much like the species. Pretty, but perhaps somewhat disappointing. In previous years the double form appeared infrequently.

Echinacea 'Double Decker'

Echinacea ‘White Swan’ was planted in 2007 and is outperforming all the other coneflowers in the perennial trial garden at the Calgary Zoo; most likely because it is getting the most sun. It has single white flowers which are beautiful in their simplicity.

Echinacea 'White Swan'

 Echinacea ‘Coconut Lime’ is new in the perennial trials this year. It has just started to bloom; the flowers are not fully formed yet. The flowers have been described as double and green-white in colour. There does appear to be a bit of a second layer of petals starting on this flower.

Echinacea ‘Coconut Lime’

 

 

Echinacea ‘Big Sky Sunrise’ and E. ‘Double Delight’ were planted in 2007, but unfortunately have not survived at the Calgary Zoo site.  There is one Echinacea ‘Rubin’s Glow’ remaining in the garden from a previous trial (planted in 2005). It has buds, but no flowers yet. I’ll post a photo once it blooms.

 © Alberta Perennial Trials, 2010