I took this photo today on my morning "walk about" before the heat of the day. Purple Coneflower Echinachea purpurea, is a drought tolerant perennial and is one of the very best butterfly and bee attractors. Even though this plant calls for full sun or partial shade, I find that because of the broad leaves it easily wilts in the hot afternoon soon, especially when it is young. So, I need to give it a quick, cold shower almost every day that the temperature rises. It makes me wonder why they classify this as a Xeric plant, but once it blooms it is pretty tough. I think it is one of the most beautiful flowers in the garden. I would love to explore some of the other colors. Tomorrow is going to be hotter yet so I know I will be out there with the hose. It still beats throwing water down the gutter at dried up turf, however. And a pretty alternative too.
7 comments:
That is a lovely site! Your coneflowers look so pretty....and what a great asset to your neighborhood.
Well done... your flowers are always so pretty. My coneflowers are suffering in the dry weather, too, but I feel confident they'll make it, regardless of how droopy they are at the end of the day.
Carol at May Dreams Gardens
Bev, those look grand and I don't blame you for giving them the spritz of water they need every day! I find it interesting that a lot of plants that should be rather xeric here still need a bit of help. Must be the altitude!
You have a pretty garden. I started my blog in June, and I love to visit gardens. I go from blogg to blogg. I am from Norway. My english writing is not good, but I hope you understand...
Welcome on my blogg and into my garden!
Beautiful! I like the artsy framing of the photo. I was at the nursery yesterday and made the connection that coneflower and echinacea are the same thing. When I would see one or the other I'd think, 'Gee, that coneflower looks just like echinacea' or 'Hmmm, that echinacea really looks like coneflower' -- as I'm learning my flowers, now I know they're one and the same!
Recently I bought my first Echinaceas and they are flowering now. Not many butterflies though, but that's probably to do with the cold and wet weather. It's raining a lot over here. Your sun drenched pic cheered me up though, so thanks Bev! ;-)
Connie - thanks for your comment. I enjoy having the neighbors stop by to admire my flowers. It makes me feel like I have accomplished something to bring joy to others.
Carol - I'm glad to know other gardeners have the same problem with coneflowers. I was beginning to think it was something I was doing wrong.
LostRoses - Yes, I am amazed at the xeric plants that suffer in full sun, and I too have come to the conclusion that it is because of the altitude and the sun beating down so hard on them.
Beth - believe me, I learn something every day about flowers! It is a never-ending, but enjoyable process. But isn't it fun?
Yolanda - I'm sure it must be the rainy weather that is keeping the butterflies away. It seems that there are so many areas that are having rain, like England! Yikes, are they having it rough. Hope you get a break soon.
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