What kind of tougher do you mean? It's practically a weed here.

I mean tougher as in why does it not appear to be returning this spring tougher.

Kate

So what do you think did it in? Usually what gets coneflowers is wet. Since I know this particular one will practically grow under water, it's extremely tough for a coneflower. Now that I think about it, it might be the toughest coneflower I know. Rot can be a real scourge with them here, as well as with a lot of the standard prairie wildflowers, but this particular seedling strain has really done quite well in the land of sometimes perpetual squish.

Well I really don't know. The bed they were in is not overly wet anyway. Reasonably rich, decently well drained soil. Hence my head scratching. Unless they just have not shown their faces yet. It seems probable to me however that if one is coming back the rest should in theory. I don't know being inexperienced with coneflowers. I was just thinking that if they fared well last winter I would plant more. Now I'm not too sure that's the best bet.

Kate

Maybe Bravado is a variety that emerges later than the other, and will come out in some time. Echinaceas are typically pretty fool proof, drainage being adequate. My coneflowers (Magnus) aren't up yet.

My coneflowers haven't shown any signs of emerging yet, and I know my soil/climate is ahead of yours. I have no doubt that mine will return except for maybe the fall-planted one in the back. The others have all returned reliably even after the unusually harsh 2006-2007 winter in our area (I lost all kinds of things that year).

My general rule of thumb for this area is "Don't assume it's dead until after July 4"--I've killed too many plants by assuming they were dead and deciding to replace them.

Lisa

Thank you both. I will wait. I know I don't have the patience to wait until July. But I will give it at least a few more weeks.

Kate

I double checked--Not a one of my Echinaceas is leafing up yet, although a nearby Rudbeckia is. Tall Phlox is. Campanulas are. Some hardy Geraniums are. I don't think that the Geums or the Knautias ever went dormant, so they don't count. The Stokesia and Asters haven't made an appearance yet. Hope that gives you some idea of what to watch for.

Lisa

I have to concur about Bravado being pretty hard to kill. But it is a late riser here as well. The perennials around my bunch are almost always up and growing before it rears its little head. If you have underground problems though(voles, gophers etc.) your other perennials would probably be affected also. If they don't come up either then you may have a critter problem.

Kate, my Echinaceas are FINALLY emerging here in the banana belt in Sparks. To give you an idea of when to expect them, I have about half of my Single Early varieties of tulips starting to bloom, Grape Hyacinths starting to bloom, and the flowering plum out front blooming.

The Echinaceas are just barely emerged--little leaves poking out at the base of last year's stems.

Lisa