How to Plant White Coneflowers

The white coneflower (Echinacea purpurea ‘White Swan’) produces its fragrant blossoms from early summer to early fall. Flowers measure 4 inches and sit atop 24 inch tall plants. The petals bend backward, toward the stem, allowing the golden-brown cone in the center to protrude. Coneflowers do best when grown within U.S. Department of Agriculture hardiness zones 3 through 9. Plant the white coneflowers in early spring as soon as all danger of frost has passed.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

things you’ll need:

• Shovel or spade
• Peat moss
• Compost

1. Plant the white coneflowers in a full-sun location. If you live in an area with particularly hot summer sun, provide some afternoon shade for the coneflower.
2. Remove all weeds from within a 1-foot radius of the coneflower bed.
3. Use a shovel or spade to loosen and crush the soil to a depth of 12 inches.
4. Add a 1-inch layer of peat moss and a 2-inch layer of compost to the soil and work it to a depth of 12 inches.
5. Dig planting holes for the white coneflowers, 12 inches apart and the same depth that they are currently growing. Remove them from the nursery containers and gently loosen the roots with your fingers.
6. Place the root-balls in the planting holes, fill with soil, and lightly press the soil around the base of the plant, using your hands.