coneflower

Coneflower (Echinacea 'Evan Saul' BIG SKY SUNDOWN) should be watered regularly but not too often. It prefers soil that is kept evenly moist, but not soggy. Watering should be done in the early morning, so that foliage has time to dry off before nightfall. Once every 2 to 3 weeks should be enough during the growing season (spring and summer), unless there is an unusually hot or dry spell. In dry conditions, check the soil twice a week, and water deeply when it feels dry an inch below the surface. In winter, water less often, for instance once every 2–3 months, unless the soil is especially dry.

Coneflower (Echinacea 'Evan Saul' BIG SKY SUNDOWN) does best when it receives at least 6 hours of direct or dappled sunlight each day. This plant does not do well in full shade, so it should be placed in an area where it can get plenty of sun. In the winter, however, the plant should be exposed to less sunlight to prevent damage from cold temperatures. During the summer months, it should get 8 to 10 hours of direct sunlight each day. It should be shielded from extreme winds, which can damage the delicate petals.

Pruning of coneflower (Echinacea 'Evan Saul' BIG SKY SUNDOWN) is not necessary except for removal of dead or damaged foliage. Since this species will bloom in late summer and early fall, trimmed plants will lack flowers. To avoid this, prune at the end of the flowering season, generally in early fall. This will promote fresh foliage for the next season. Simple pruning to remove dead individual blossoms and seedheads is normally sufficient; removing stems and foliage should be done with caution. Often, it is best to leave pruning of this species until spring, as the coneflowers may provide overwintering cover which is beneficial both for the plant and for a yard’s wildlife population.