Echinacea 'Solar Flare' ~ Big Sky™ Solar Flare Coneflower

Solar Flare Echinacea is a compact upright native perennial with strong dark stems that do not need staking and grey-green foliage.   Solar Flare Echinacea has huge 5-6” fragrant flowers with downward arching petals that are magenta red that mature to a smoky rose with purple undersides and deep red center cones that bloom from late spring to late summer, and occasionally an additional bloom in fall.  Thrives in full sun and well-drained soils.  The flowers attract butterflies and bees, and spent stems will stay erect and attract birds if not removed. Type:  Perennial Origins: NA Native Hybrid Height:  2' - 3’ Spread:  1.5' - 2’ Spacing:  1.5’ USDA Hardiness Zone:  4 - 8 Culture:  Full Sun, Part Sun Bloom Color:  Red Season of Interest:  Spring, Summer, Fall MAINTENANCE NEEDS: Low Maintenance.  Susceptible to aster yellows disease and eriophyid mites.  Heat and drought tolerant. LANDSCAPE USES:  Accents or Group Plantings, Borde