Coneflower companion plants are like many other companions, which would be included in the gardens for the numerous benefits that they offer. There are several reasons other than aesthetics for companion planting, the most popular cone flower is the purple coneflower, scientifically known as Echinacea purpurea.
These plants have beautiful colors that brighten up gardens, so choosing plants that add the perfect balance of colors and textures to complement them is essential.. Some of these benefits include; repelling pests, nitrogen fixation, soil amendment and soil cover.
See more information on the best plants to pair with coneflowers in the article below.
Contents
Types of Coneflower Companion Plants for a Wildflower Garden
1. Rudbeckia Hirta
Black-eyed Susan companion plants are popular in many Central United States gardens from where they originate. They are quite easy to care for and even grow wildly along roadsides and fields without much supervision.
These perennial plants are tough plants that can withstand several harsh conditions, so they’re perfect for you if you don’t want to spend so much time taking care of a garden, as you would place them next to your cone shaped flower, because they would thrive together.
– Characteristics
These plants look like daisies when you check their physical looks. In addition, as they have a foliage that’s dark green leaves that grow below the flowers, Rudbeckia hirta plants’ primary focal point is their flowers. Their flowers have a dark center, surrounded by bright yellow petals arranged like a disc.
These brightly colored petals attract all sorts of visitors to themselves and other flowers in the garden, which helps boost pollination among the other plants. Once planted, they start producing flowers as soon as they enter their first summer season.
Rudbeckia hirta plants are pest resistant and help keep garden pests away from the other plants they’re grown around. These plants are short-lived and take a while to reach full maturity. Most varieties grow only as tall as three feet and as broad as two feet. They are perfect for companion planting with Rudbeckia fulgida which is a beautiful a type of coneflower.
– Growth Care
As previously stated, Rudbeckia hirta plants require minimal care and maintenance. However, note that most species are self-seeding, so they will grow and spread without assistance.
To achieve long-lasting blooms, several gardeners practice deadheading. The most important factors to look out for are the light soil and water requirements of these plants; even at that, they aren’t really fussy.
Rudbeckia hirta plants prefer total sunlight exposure to produce their lovely flowers; however, they can handle some shade, and still it will be able to thrive. They can thrive in poor soils as long as they drain well and have a slightly acidic pH of around 6.8. Younger plants need frequent watering but are easily resistant to dryness once they mature and establish their further growth.
2. Wild Bergamot
Wild bergamots, commonly known as Bee balm plants are perennials, so if you want a perennial garden, they’re the perfect plants to grow as companions for Echinacea purpurea. Most of the limited varieties available in the market are hybrids of three main species that you can plant next to one another for a beautiful garden.
However, these plants are members of the mint family and are mostly considered aggressive. Which means that, if you don’t want them to spread and that they would grow peacefully, you will need to monitor them closely.
– Characteristics
Wild bergamot plants are stunners with their features, and although their leaves are nothing much to look at, they more than makeup for it in other areas.
They produce colorful long-lasting flowers with pink, red, lavender, white or purple petals almost all summer. These brightly colored petals are a favorite of many birds, bees, and butterflies. If you’re in any hardiness zone between five and nine, they will thrive in your garden without any hardship.
– Growth Care
Most flowering plants, including wild bergamots, prefer full sun conditions, which encourage proper blooming and prevent the plants from becoming gangly and thin. Although it’s not ideal for them, these plants will also survive in partial shade, and note that as such, they may degenerate and weaken.
As long as the soil in your garden is nutrient-rich, moist, and well-drained with an acidic to neutral pH, wild bergamots will thrive.
3. Coreopsis
There are over 80 varieties of Coreopsis plants, all of which have attractive features and characteristics that make them suitable companions for coneflowers. Coreopsis companion plants are indigenous to North American landscapes.
On the other hand, remember that they are called Tickseed, which alludes to the plants’ tiny seeds that look like ticks. With a moderate growth rate, they should be planted in spring, when the ground becomes warmer, which means that they can develop long-lasting root networks.
– Characteristics
Coreopsis plants have stunning physical features that will have people doing a double take. The daisy-like flowers of these plants grow in shades of white, red, yellow, orange, and pink all summer. Their showy blooms complement their broad or narrow green leaves, depending on the variety. Several birds, bees, and butterflies will visit the flowers in you’re garden because of their bright colors.
As previously mentioned, these plants have seed heads that attract birds and some other animals because they’re a food source. The different species of these plants have different mature heights, but the range is usually between two and four feet tall, great to be ones that you could have in your garden as they would feature a tall structure.
– Growth Care
Coreopsis plants enjoy total sun exposure, so be sure to look for a spot where the sun is in full view to grow them. These plants love well-drained sandy soils with neutral to acidic pH. In addition, it’s essential to leave some room around each plant to encourage proper air circulation.
As the plants develop, the taller varieties will require propping because they’re often top-heavy and can topple over as a result. Additionally, getting rid of the faded blossoms will prolong the flowering season till fall.
4. Penstemon
Penstemon companion plants are also known as beardtongue and belong to the plantaginaceae family. They are easy-to-grow perennial plants and can be planted through their seeds during spring and early summer. There are over 250 varieties of these flowering plants that you can have next to your cone flowers, and would thrive in a perfect manner together.
– Characteristics
The winning characteristics of these plants are their lovely flowers. They produce beautiful tube-like flowers with open mouths and various colors, depending on the species.
The varieties with purple, blue, red, white, or pink are the most popular ones. Sometimes, these plants produce bicolored flowers. The tallest beardtongues can grow is eight feet tall which is a great option in your garden.
– Growth Care
Beardtongue plants are sunny plants, meaning the sun encourages upright growth and proper flower production, in addition, this would mean that the flower should not be deprived of sun in your garden when it’s growing.
These plants will survive in well-draining sandy or rocky soils, so keep your rich garden loam soils away. As Penstemons are highly drought tolerant, they require minimal watering.
5. Zinnia
Zinnia companion plants are hot climate plants. They are fast-growing plants that are easy to grow and maintain. Zinnia plants are annual plants; each growth season requires the planting of fresh seeds. All varieties of these plants are tough and hardy: even the most difficult conditions will not harm them.
– Characteristics
These plants are known for their hot-colored flowers, including several with pink, white, yellow, purple, orange, and red hues. Their flowers are round and can sometimes look like daisies or dahlia, and it adds them a pretty feature.
Furthermore, note that zinnia plants grow deep green leaves that aren’t much to look at, except that different varieties grow leaves with different shapes. They can usually grow as tall as four feet and as wide as 18 inches.
– Growth Care
Once they’re established, Zinnia plants will produce flowers as the weather warms. To make sure that they’re growing optimally, their soil and light requirements must be met. Fortunately, these plants aren’t very high maintenance about the type of soil they’re grown in, as long as it drains well, and they’re properly spaced. Make sure that you don’t over water it, and it will be just fine, as long as the roots don’t get damaged.
Zinnias should be grown under full sun exposure. This will help them produce the most flowers, keep the leaves dry, and prevent powdery mildew before it even begins.
6. Lavender
Lavender companion plants are very popular. They can be planted on their own or paired with other plants to improve the aesthetics of the landscape. These plants have several other uses besides beautification. They are used in several beauty and skin products because of their chemical properties, which would help in repelling the pests away from itself, and for the cone flower that is next to it.
– Characteristics
Most lavender plants feature tiny purplish flowers. These flowers are highly fragrant, and their scent will capture the attention of any passerby, including butterflies, bees, and many other pollinators.
They are also perfect for floral arrangements, and have other characteristics as well, such as healing properties.
– Growth Care
Lavender plants are full sun plants. They grow well and flower profusely under full sun exposure. Lavender grows well in most types of soil, from the least fertile to the most fertile. The only thing they require from the soil they’re grown in is good drainage, as wet regions and standing water can promote root infections.
Conclusion
Whether you’re just starting your gardening journey or you’re a seasoned gardener, planting companions will always give your space a boost in looks and add several other benefits. Anemone companion plants, hardy hibiscus companion plants, and Hosta companion plants are other suitable plants to pair with coneflowers. Let’s do a recap.
- Many of the plants listed above will add benefits other than aesthetics to your garden.
- Flowering companions mostly require full sun to produce plenty of blooms.
- Planting companions that are natives of your region will give you fewer problems.
Now that you know what you can plant next to your cone flowers, whichever you choose, will ben excellent one in your garden. Happy gardening!
References
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/rudbeckia-hirta/&ved=2ahUKEwjeq5TxkoP8AhUwVaQEHQZGBNgQFnoECHgQAQ&usg=AOvVaw2d3I7Jze0agw3tXxs-VQ–
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://plantvillage.psu.edu/topics/lavender/infos&ved=2ahUKEwiK97Toi4P8AhV6WqQEHS5eAy44ChAWegQIAxAB&usg=AOvVaw1JzBrf-adiOBM3zpEtHaId
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