Sombrero® Fiesta Orange Coneflower

Coneflowers are the plant of the moment, and for excellent reasons. They are extremely low maintenance while providing shelter and food for many native and local wildlife species in the home garden. Sombrero® Fiesta Orange Coneflower retains all of the best traditional aspects of coneflowers with several improvements. This coneflower's sturdy, compact size makes it perfect for adding to the garden (without extra staking) or planting in a container. The rich orange flowers last through the summer and provide nectar late in the season for native pollinators.

Sombrero® Fiesta Orange is a perfect companion for other cottage garden plants such as Russian sage, coreopsis, shasta daisy, and salvia. There is no need to protect coneflowers from deer or rabbits; neither one is a pest for this tough grower. Diseases are few for this herbaceous perennial. The Sombrero® series was bred to be more freely branching and compact, giving them better air circulation and less susceptibility to mildew and fungal disease. Coneflowers make a drought-tolerant plant for xeric gardens and wildflower meadows.

Sombrero® Fiesta Orange Coneflower Care

Plant coneflowers in a full sun spot that has good drainage. Heavy clay will be acceptable if it is amended with compost to improve drainage. Coneflowers have low water needs after they become established. Ensure these plants receive one inch of water a week for the first year. Fertilizing is rarely needed for most coneflowers, although hybrid cultivars will benefit from the added boost. Apply a granular, balanced fertilizer early in the spring. Alternatively, organic compost can be spread around the root zone, providing the right level of nutrition for one growing season.

Deadheading is not necessary to keep Sombrero® Coneflowers blooming. The heavily branching stems produce flowers from June to September. Allowing the spent flowers to ripen into seedheads adds another layer of interest to the fall and winter garden. Non-migrating birds and other wildlife will happily feed on the seeds all winter. Clean up the spent top growth in the early spring to make room for the new season's growth. Dividing the plants every 3-4 years helps to keep them growing vigorously. They should be divided in early spring or late summer, and watered in well to help settle the roots.

Sombrero® Fiesta Orange Coneflower Spacing

Fiesta Orange grows to a mature height of 18-22 inches and a spread of 22-24 inches. Place each plant 20 inches apart to provide quick soil coverage.

Sombrero® Fiesta Orange Coneflower Information