My PCF is doing the same thing,I think it is just that time of the year:(

Mine aren't going dormant yet. Is the temperature difference between our zones that big? Hmm....

Mine have kind of a brownish pinkish color too.... I don't think it's dormancy. Not sure what it is, but they are different colored then they were last summer.

Most of mine are doing the same thing. They have been in bloom for a few weeks now so it is just mother nature taking course I feel. I also saw a huge flock of blackbirds this moring and we all know they will start to flock together for a few weeks before heading south so, fall is in the air.

Mine have something going on too. Somehow, it doesn't look like autumn, but some kind of fungus or disease maybe. Wait and watch.
jan

Echinaceas can be infected by several fungi that cause the foliage and flower to brown and/or turn black. It could be just autumn....but it is rather early for the coneflowers, foliage and all, to start disintegrating.

The most likely candidate among the fungi is Septoria lepachydis. Hot, humid/rainy weather contribute to the problem as well as overcrowding (lack of air circulation). Clean up the foliage this fall. Perhaps give them more room next summer? Then again....if the weather is different next summer...doing nothing except cleaning up the dead foliage might work just as well!
Jan

could someone help me please we are building on a lot with existing gardens- I would like to put the coneflowers in a holding garden until next spring-when should I transplant?

I appreciate the input Jan. I'm thinking it must be disease, as I have a number of areas where the clump is doing fine, but within the area maybe a couple of stocks are behaving differently- blackened foliage and flo. right next to healthy looking ones (eep!)-
Thanks to the heads-up Im thinkin I'd better get a wiggle on and remove the uncool ones so it doesn't spread further.
Just out of curiosity, Jan, do you suppose that seedheads from an affected stem would be capable of further transmitting the problem if planted?

I don't really know the answer to that question....but what the heck....I will make a SWAG.

I would think if the fungus had invaded the flower/seed head it would prevent the seed from maturing normally and they would not germinate at all. However, if the flower/seed heads are not infected...just the lower stems, the seeds should be O.K.
It would be best to collect seed from the plants that are still looking healthy.
Jan

alrighty then....what does swag stand for (I'm thinkin' the g may refer to..hmmm...guess?
inquiring minds want to know.
grin
suz
BTW Jan, I was just about thinking that you knew most everything. Makes me think about the line where Robin says to Batman- "gee Batman, you know everything" to which he responds: "no Robin, there are a couple of things I don't know"

"Know everything.." That is toooo funny! I figure if I keep hanging around this forum, folks will keep trying to smarten me up....but it is an uphill battle! LOL.
As my Dad use to say...If you're so smart, why aren't you rich?

SWAG = Stupid Wild-A** Guess. Aren't you sorry you asked?
Jan

Well, I was right about the "guess" part! (grin)

and I'm not a bit sorry for asking, I can handle a couple of asterisks!
Suz