Key Features

• Growth Habit:
  • Upright clump-forming perennial
  • Typically grows 24–36 inches tall and 18–24 inches wide
  • Strong stems support blooms without staking
• Bloom Color:
  • Shades of orange, apricot, peach, and tangerine with coppery-brown central cones
• Fragrance:
  • Light sweet floral fragrance
• Fruit Flavor:
  • Not grown for edible fruit production
• Culinary Uses:
  • No significant culinary uses
• Medicinal & Traditional Uses:
  • Echinacea species have a long history of use in traditional herbal preparations
  • Primarily grown as an ornamental and pollinator-friendly perennial
• Wildlife Attraction & Pest Resistance:
  • Highly attractive to butterflies, bees, hummingbirds, and beneficial pollinators
  • Seed heads attract songbirds later in the season
  • Deer resistant
  • Rabbit resistant
  • Generally resistant to pests and diseases
• Planting Zones: USDA Zones 4–9
• Sun Preferences:
  • Full sun for best flowering and strongest growth
  • Tolerates light partial shade
• Drought Tolerance:
  • High once established

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Planting Instructions (From a 3.5" Pot into the Ground)

1. Choose the Location

• Select a sunny location with well-drained soil.
• Ideal for pollinator gardens, perennial borders, prairie gardens, and cottage landscapes.

2. Prepare the Soil

• Loosen soil 8–10 inches deep.
• Incorporate compost if needed to improve soil structure and drainage.

3. Dig the Hole

• Dig a hole twice as wide as the 3.5" pot and equal depth.

4. Remove from Pot

• Carefully remove the plant and gently loosen any circling roots.

5. Plant

• Position the root ball level with the surrounding soil surface.
• Backfill with soil and gently firm around the roots.

6. Water Thoroughly

• Water deeply after planting.
• Keep soil moderately moist during the first growing season.

7. Mulch

• Apply a light layer of mulch around the plant while keeping the crown exposed.

8. Spacing

• Space plants 18–24 inches apart to allow for mature growth and good air circulation.

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Overwintering Big Sky™ ‘Sundown’ Coneflower

In-Ground Plants

• Fully hardy throughout USDA Zones 4–9.
• Foliage naturally dies back after frost.
• Leave seed heads standing through winter to provide food for birds and seasonal interest.

Winter Care Tips

• Cut back old stems in late winter or early spring before new growth appears.
• Apply a light mulch layer after the ground freezes in colder regions.
• Avoid excessive winter moisture around the crown.
• Ensure good drainage to prevent root and crown rot.

Container-Grown Plants

• Move containers to a sheltered location during severe winter weather.
• Protect roots from repeated freeze-thaw cycles.
• Water sparingly during dormancy.

Long-Term Maintenance

• Divide mature clumps every 3–5 years if desired.
• Deadhead spent blooms to encourage additional flowering, or leave seed heads intact for wildlife.

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Big Sky™ ‘Sundown’ Coneflower brings the warm colors of a summer sunset to the garden with its brilliant orange and apricot blooms. Its long flowering season, outstanding drought tolerance, and exceptional pollinator value make it a beautiful and reliable addition to borders, prairie plantings, and wildlife-friendly landscapes.