Echinacea Butterfly Postman
Echinacea Butterfly Postman photo Mt Cuba Center Trials

Coneflower

Echinacea  'Postman' is a member of the Butterfly™ Series from Arie Blom of AB-Cultivars in the Netherlands. Each cultivar in this series is named for a different butterfly, in this case the Mexican and Central American postman butterfly (Heliconius sp.). 'Postman' is known for its large, intensely colourful flowers and prominent dark cones. Beginning in June, showy oversized buds with attractive dark centers are held well above the foliage, a feature that greatly expands its season of interest. The buds are then followed by marigold-yellow flowers that transition to crimson-red in early July and eventually fade to shades of watermelon pink later in the month. The sheer size and quantity of blooms can cause some flopping later in the season, although timely deadheading can counteract this tendency.

  • Height: 86 cm (34 in)
  • Spread: 81 cm (32 in)
  • Cold Hardiness: zone 4-9
  • Sun or Shade: minimum 4 hours of full sun
  • Bloom Time: early to mid summer
  • Leaf Colour: green
  • Bloom Colour: orange shading to red
  • Critter Resistance: deer
  • Nature Attraction: butterflies

Growing and Maintenance Tips

Coneflowers are the ideal perennial for hot sunny sites. Plant them in shade and they will flop and produce very few flowers. Loamy, well drained soil in a slightly elevated bed is ideal to produce the best bloom and winter hardiness. Heavy soils can lead to winter rot. Dead head regularly to prolong bloom. Leave the last seed heads to stand for winter food for finches and other birds.

Specials

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