Em, I believe the nursery told me this was their second year of life! They looked perfectly healthy before I transplanted them.

They look ok to me. Keep them moist, and don't let them get dried up by too much sun. I think they will survive.

I would expect it is the mushroom compost. Echinacea have a very low tolerance for salts and mushroom compost typically rates rather high in soluble salts.

Interesting gardengal 48

Gardengal, any way to combat the salinity? Do you think they will be okay?

Just keep flushing the area well with water. This will dilute the salts to the point where they will have minimal adverse impact.

And be careful how you use mushroom compost. It is best if used to amend soil well in advance of any plantings. "There are several uses for mushroom compost. It can be used as soil amendment for lawns, gardens, and container plants. However, this product should be used with caution due to its high soluble salt levels. These salt levels can kill germinating seeds, harm young seedlings, and cause damage to salt-sensitive plants."

Thank you for your suggestions... is it possible my sunflower seedlings (planted elsewhere with mushroom compost) were killed from the salinity as well?! The more you know!

Yes, it is certainly possible. The tiny, fine roots of any seedlings can be adversely affected, as can seed germination.

Mushroom compost can be potent stuff!! :-)

In central Nebraska my coneflowers are just breaking dormancy, much later than other plants. It may have been a bit cool or wet at the initial transplant. I think they'll do fine with time. They look healthy and of established size.