RE: Echinacea purpurea

Dear Jaime, Nancy, Pottsey, Janice, and everyone else who responded--  

>How rich the soil?  

Pretty tasty, I'd say-- amended last year with mulch, peat moss, and
potting soil, then this year with more much and aged manure. (I have
clay soil and have steadily been trying to improve it.  This particular
bed is now nice and moist/crumbly.)

> >What is the pH?  
> 
I don't know.  Remember, I am a beginner.  'Haven't yet broached the
area of pH.

> >If you're leaning to acid, try working a bit of lime into the
> surrounding soil and water in well.  See if that helps a bit.  
> 
> >Is the soil deeply dug??   Are you sure there isn't a large rock or
> something that might be blocking the roots?   
> 
There are a few small rocks, but the bed is dug about 2 feet deep.

> >What else have you got growing with them?  How are they doing?  
> 
They are growing next to oriental and alpine poppies and a really nice
lemon sage, all of which are doing very well.  Well, the alpine poppy is
starting to yellow, and seems to have stopped blooming-- I assumed that
it was just 'done', as it bloomed for about 8 weeks.  Right or wrong??

>Patience, Sue.  They really do start out looking a little wimpy
sometimes, (at least mine do) but as the flowers develop, the petals get
wider and longer.  Right now they're the best looking things in my front
border (thanks to the heat and the drought). 

It may be my imagination, but they already look a bit better.  The
petals seem to be filling out a little.

>I learned something while trying to find this Website for you.  Some
"purple" coneflower can be white or pink.  Try this Website.

Thanks!

>You could try an 'experiment' of sorts.  Move this plant to another
area (if
possible) and see how it does *next* year.  

I could do this-- but I really like where the plants are, and hate to
give up.

>Also, if your budget allows, buy another and plant it with flower buds
or in flower and plant it and see how it gets through the rest of the
season. 
 
As a matter of fact, I've got a couple of small plants ready to put in--
not sure if they'll flower this year though.

Thanks to everyone for your help.  I will take it all under advisement
and will let you know how things go.

Sue P.

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