Volunteer Echinacea - Ask Extension
I have lived in my current house for 30+ years, and have had native echinacea for years. Sometimes it does well, other times not. It has often “vo...
Knowledgebase
Volunteer Echinacea #878490
Asked July 23, 2024, 7:31 PM EDT
I have lived in my current house for 30+ years, and have had native echinacea for years. Sometimes it does well, other times not. It has often “volunteered” elsewhere on the property. This year I have a white and an orange echinacea, and I have no idea where they came from. I did plant a Cherokee hybrid a few years ago, but it didn’t thrive, and I do have one small purple hybrid. Any idea where these came from? They’re both very vigorous and beautiful
Hennepin County Minnesota
Expert Response
When hybrids reseed, the plants generally don't come true. But usually they revert to the plain non-hybrid variety, which would be standard purple for Echinacea. Why you have these outliers, I don't know. A mispackaged seed? An odd hybrid reseed? Just enjoy. You could also try to save the seeds from the plant, plant them next year and see what happens. Be aware that Echinacea seeds need a cold treatment:
https://www.siskiyouseeds.com/blogs/news/how-to-grow-echinacea
https://www.siskiyouseeds.com/blogs/news/how-to-grow-echinacea
Thanks, Dennis. I suspect it is just a hybrid reseed, and they are both really pretty. The one that looks like a native orange echinacea is also very vigorous. Enjoy them I will!
Loie Lenarz
On 07/24/2024 3:04 PM CDT Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
