Double Decker Coneflower& Other Double Coneflower TypesThe Double Decker coneflower is unique in that its brown central cone is topped by what looks like another, smaller bloom. The other double coneflowers listed here feature pompon tops. All are cultivars of the Echinacea purpurea plant.
Growing Tips for Double Echinacea FlowersIn part shade, the stems may require staking. Double coneflowers are bred for garden display and also perform well as cut flowers. If you later wish to expand your collection of Double Decker coneflowers (or any of the other doubles), propagate them by dividing the mature clumps or by taking hard or softwood cuttings.Dip the cuttings in rooting hormone For more in-depth information about growing coneflowers see:
Growing Echinacea Plants.
Pink Flowers
The pink, white and greenish yellow blooms of Double Decker coneflowers appear in late summer and hold court through fall. These unusual flowers form on upright stalks 2-3 feet tall. Bury the tuberous roots about an inch deep in average garden soil. They are winter hardy in USDA zones 3-9. The blooms of Double Decker coneflowers will sometimes not produce the flower-on-flower effect until the plant's second growing season.
Buy Echinacea Pomegranate, 1 Plant Echinacea Pomegranate is a new coneflower variety bred by Burpee. The lower petals are the standard coneflower pink but the petals that form atop the cone will often be a deeper hue giving the blooms a two-toned effect. Another interesting thing about this plant is that each clump will display both flower forms: pompons as well as the bloom-on-bloom. Pomegranate will grow to a height and spread of 3 feet and is hardy in zones 3-8.
Three to four inch fully double, intensely feminine blooms top 30 inch stems on compact plants which spread 2 feet wide. Plants are heavy bloomers and tolerate heat, humidity and drought. As an added bonus, this Echinacea flower lasts for up to 14 days in the vase. Bred in Holland as a cutting flower, Razzmattazz blooms can even be dried and used as everlastings. Hardy in zones 3-9. Echinacea Razzamattazz also enjoys the distinction of being the first double coneflower in commerce.
If you've ever fantasized about growing pink sunflowers, Echinacea Fancy Frills is your dream come true! Growing in clumps 30 inches tall by 24 inches wide, Fancy Frills is the only semi-double coneflower I have ever seen. This is not the only way in which it differs from its kin. Its central cone is much flatter than those of most other coneflower varieties--adding to its sunflower appearance. These flatter central cones often face out instead of up and, to top it all off, the flowers are fragrant! Plant this quick grower in full sun in zones 4-8 for best performance.
Buy Double Secret Passion Coneflower Here Intense flamingo pompons adorn 27 inch stems. Echinacea Secret Passion forms branching clumps which are unusual in that they are wider (about 3 feet) than they are tall. Enjoys a long season of bloom in USDA zones 4-9.
Buy Double Secret Romance Coneflowers Here Another compact and well-branched selection form the "Secret" series. Echinacea Secret Romance forms clumps 30 inches high and wide topped by large, 2-toned blooms in late summer. Very floriferous and great for cutting in zones 4-9.
Buy the Dwarf Coneflower, Pink Double Delight Here Its diminutive size is what sets this variety apart from the noticeably taller Double Decker coneflower. Three inch blooms form on upright stems 15-20 inches high. The first introduction from the "Cone fections" series, Pink Double Delight coneflowers exhibit superior mildew resistance and are more tolerant of boggy soils than other purple coneflower varieties.
Other Colors
Cocount Lime is the second of the "Cone fections" series of coneflowers and was the first white double ever introduced. It is interesting to watch the tri-colored blooms develop from white daisies into pale green pompons wearing white skirts. The many flowers appear from mid summer til bloom is stopped by frost. Deadheading the spent blooms will cause the plant to push out even more posies. The blooms are longest lasting on the plant but the vanilla fragrance is more intense when the flowers are cut and brought indoors. Coconut Lime is not drought tolerant. The edges of the white petals may brown if the soil is allowed to dry out so keep it watered. At less than 2 feet tall, this cultivar is suitable for the front of the border in zones 5-9.
Echinacea Meringue is the third in the "Cone fections" series. Champagne-colored cream puffs top the 18-24 inch stems of this coneflower from mid to late summer. The "Cone fections" series comes to us from breeder Arie Blom. Born in the Netherlands but educated in the U.S., Bloom understands how extremely variable our weather is. He developed this series with the intention of it outperforming all previous coneflower introductions. Meringue is sure to do so when planted in full sun and moderately moist soil in zones 5-9.
Order the Double Marmalade Coneflower Here In full bloom, when viewed from a distance in the landscape, Echinacea Marmalade reminds me of Kniphofia. Perhaps this is because the hot orange flowers are so big. This selection should have been named Hot Poker coneflower. Marmalade shrugs off heat and humidity. Clumps grow quickly to a height and width of 30-32 inches in zones 4-8. With Marmalade, Arie Blom has introduced another winner!
Order Double Secret Joy Coneflower Here Because of the uplifting effect that exposure to sunlight has on human emotions, yellow flowers have come to symbolize joy. I can't think of a more appropriate name for this sunny yellow coneflower which is sure to bring delight to your garden beds. Echinacea Secret Joy is 1 of a small number of new coneflower varieties introduced in 2011. These fragrant cut flowers grow on strong 24 inch stems and bloom from July through September in zones 4-9.
Buy Coneflower, Hot Papaya Here The 2.5-3 foot reddish stems and paprika flowerheads of the Hot Papaya coneflower will add an unusual color accent to the middle of your late summer beds and borders. Keep this, the first orange double coneflower ever introduced moist until it matures and develops some drought tolerance. More than 10 years of work went into producing this fiery flower bred by Arie Blom of AB-Cultivars. Grow it in zones 4-9 for best garden performance.
Echinacea Coral Reef is a fast growing, fragrant coneflower which will bloom during its first growing season. The 36 inch tall plants do not just begin to bloom quickly, they bloom very heavily as well. A single mature plant can produce more than 2 dozen flowers at a time! This variety was introduced by Terra Nova Nurseries in 2009. Plant it in full sun in zones 4-9, feed it sparingly and watch it bloom in repeated flushes from summer til frost.
Save Dollars with the Double Coneflower Collection More Coneflower Articles:Echinacea Ruby Star and Other Reddish CultivarsEchinacea Ruby Star (Rubinstern) and the more intensely colored Echinacea Vintage Wine are marketed as red coneflowers but they are more accurately described as deep pink. The Tomato Soup coneflower is a bright orange-red.
Echinacea Harvest Moon
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and keep them moist and shaded for several weeks until they root.
