Key Features

• Growth Habit:
  • Upright, compact clump-forming perennial
  • Typically grows 18–24 inches tall and 16–20 inches wide
  • Well-branched with sturdy stems and abundant blooms
• Bloom Color:
  • Bright rosy pink outer petals with rich pink double centers
• 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 long been used in traditional herbal preparations
  • Primarily cultivated as an ornamental perennial and pollinator plant
• Wildlife Attraction & Pest Resistance:
  • Highly attractive to butterflies, bees, hummingbirds, and other pollinators
  • Seed heads may provide food for songbirds if left through winter
  • Deer resistant
  • Rabbit resistant
  • Generally resistant to pests and diseases
• Planting Zones: USDA Zones 4–9
• Sun Preferences:
  • Full sun
  • Tolerates light partial shade but flowers best in full sun
• Drought Tolerance:
  • High once established
• When to Prune:
  • Deadhead spent flowers throughout the growing season to encourage continuous blooming.
  • Leave some seed heads in late fall to feed birds and provide winter interest.
  • Cut back old stems to 2–4 inches above the ground in late winter or early spring before new growth begins.

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

1. Choose the Location

• Select a sunny location that receives at least 6–8 hours of direct sunlight daily.
• Ideal for perennial borders, pollinator gardens, prairie plantings, and cottage gardens.

2. Prepare the Soil

• Loosen soil 8–10 inches deep.
• Amend heavy soils with compost to improve drainage if needed.

3. Dig the Hole

• Dig a hole twice as wide as the 3.5-inch pot and equal in depth.

4. Remove from Pot

• Carefully remove the plant from its container.
• Gently loosen any circling roots before planting.

5. Plant

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

6. Water Thoroughly

• Water deeply immediately after planting.
• Keep soil evenly moist during the first growing season while the plant establishes.

7. Mulch

• Apply a light 1–2 inch layer of mulch around the plant, keeping mulch away from the crown.

8. Spacing

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

Overwintering Sweet Sandia® Coneflower

In-Ground Plants

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

Winter Care Tips

• Apply a light mulch layer after the ground freezes in colder climates.
• Avoid excessive winter moisture around the crown by ensuring well-drained soil.
• Remove old stems in late winter or early spring before new shoots emerge.

Container-Grown Plants

• Move containers to a sheltered location during severe winter weather.
• Protect roots from repeated freeze-thaw cycles by insulating the container or placing it in an unheated garage or protected area.
• Water sparingly during dormancy, allowing the soil to dry slightly between waterings.

Long-Term Maintenance

• Divide mature clumps every 3–5 years in early spring or early fall if plants become crowded.
• Remove faded blooms regularly to encourage additional flowers throughout the season.

Sweet Sandia® Coneflower is a colorful, easy-care perennial that combines vibrant double pink blooms, exceptional pollinator appeal, and impressive drought tolerance. Its compact size, sturdy stems, and months of continuous flowering make it an outstanding choice for sunny borders, pollinator gardens, containers, and low-maintenance landscapes that burst with color all season long.