Coneflower in September: monthly care

Coneflowers thrive in full sun and well-drained soil, making them ideal for sunny borders, gravel gardens, and prairie-style plantings. They tolerate both loam and sandy soils but will sulk in heavy clay that stays wet. Before planting, dig over the soil and incorporate some grit or horticultural sand if drainage is poor. There's no need to add rich compost—coneflowers actually perform better in moderately fertile soil, producing sturdier stems and more flowers. Plant container-grown coneflowers in March, April, May, or September. Dig a hole slightly larger than the root ball, set the plant at the same depth it was growing in its pot, and firm the soil gently around the roots. Space plants 45 cm apart to allow good air circulation and room for clumps to expand. If you're planting multiple coneflowers, stagger them in drifts of three or five for a natural effect. Water thoroughly after planting to settle the roots, then water regularly for the first six to eight weeks until the plants are established. After that, coneflowers are remarkably drought-tolerant and rarely need supplementary watering except in prolonged dry spells. Apply a 5 cm layer of mulch around the base of each plant to suppress weeds and retain moisture, but keep the mulch a few centimetres away from the crown to prevent rot. Staking is not usually necessary if plants are grown in full sun with adequate spacing, though very tall varieties on exposed sites may benefit from discreet support with twiggy pea sticks in late spring.