Other Names:  Coneflower, Black Eyed Susan

Group/Class:  Summerina Series

Brand:  Pacific Plug & Liner

Description:

An intergeneric cross with the appearance of Rudbeckia, and the hardiness of Echinacea; long lasting, huge scarlet-orange flowers with gold tips and dark brown centers with a long blooming season; perfect for borders or containers; high disease resistance

Ornamental Features

Summerina® Sunreef™ Echibeckia™ has masses of beautiful scarlet daisy flowers with orange overtones, dark brown eyes and gold tips at the ends of the stems from early summer to mid fall, which are most effective when planted in groupings. The flowers are excellent for cutting. Its tomentose narrow leaves remain green in color throughout the season.

Landscape Attributes

Summerina® Sunreef™ Echibeckia™ is an herbaceous perennial with an upright spreading habit of growth. Its medium texture blends into the garden, but can always be balanced by a couple of finer or coarser plants for an effective composition.

This is a relatively low maintenance plant, and should be cut back in late fall in preparation for winter. It is a good choice for attracting bees and butterflies to your yard, but is not particularly attractive to deer who tend to leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Summerina® Sunreef™ Echibeckia™ is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Mass Planting
• General Garden Use
• Container Planting

Planting & Growing

Summerina® Sunreef™ Echibeckia™ will grow to be about 18 inches tall at maturity extending to 24 inches tall with the flowers, with a spread of 20 inches. When grown in masses or used as a bedding plant, individual plants should be spaced approximately 16 inches apart. It grows at a fast rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 15 years. As an herbaceous perennial, this plant will usually die back to the crown each winter, and will regrow from the base each spring. Be careful not to disturb the crown in late winter when it may not be readily seen!

This plant does best in full sun to partial shade. It prefers to grow in average to moist conditions, and shouldn't be allowed to dry out. This plant is a heavy feeder that requires frequent fertilizing throughout the growing season to perform at its best. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. This particular variety is an interspecific hybrid. It can be propagated by division; however, as a cultivated variety, be aware that it may be subject to certain restrictions or prohibitions on propagation.

Summerina® Sunreef™ Echibeckia™ is a fine choice for the garden, but it is also a good selection for planting in outdoor pots and containers. With its upright habit of growth, it is best suited for use as a 'thriller' in the 'spiller-thriller-filler' container combination; plant it near the center of the pot, surrounded by smaller plants and those that spill over the edges. Note that when growing plants in outdoor containers and baskets, they may require more frequent waterings than they would in the yard or garden.