And Now for Something Completely Different – Pretty Parasols

Plant breeders often get stuck in a rut, copying each other, with only slight variances in each new selection. What makes us stand up and take notice is when a breeder dares to head in a completely different “Pythonian”-like direction. Such is the case with Echinacea ‘Pretty Parasols’, which is in flower now at JLBG. We love this oddity from Belgium’s Jan Spruyt, but am unsure if anyone else will share our excitement. The plant is taller (3′), and much more airy than the form typically seen in other echinacea hybrids. So, what do you think?

Echinacea ‘Pretty Parasols’

Final Weekend of Open Nursery and Garden for 2016!

This is the last weekend of our 2016 Open Nursery and Garden! Come see our gardens and be inspired to add a bit more color and texture to your own gardens. Be sure to stop by Jim and Kathy Phillips Pottery and Stone Sculpture booths, debuting at Plant Delights Nursery and Juniper Level Botanic Garden for the first time this weekend!

picture of Kathy Phillips Pottery booth at Plant Delights Open House

Jim and Kathy Phillips Pottery and Stone booth at Plant Delights Open House

picture of Echinacea blooming in the Sales House

Echinacea blooming in the Sales House

picture of Souto Garden that opened Spring 2015

Souto Garden that opened Spring 2015

Butterflies on Echinaceas

Echinacea purpurea kim's Knee High with yellow swallowtailThe butterflies are feasting on the echinaceas in the garden.  I just caught this Eastern tiger swallowtail sitting still this week.  You can bring amazing pollinators into your garden by planting lots of nectar-producing plants.

 

Incredible coneflowers

Echinacea Julia5

The echinaceas have been incredible in the garden this spring and summer.  Here are a few shots from JLBG last week.  First is Echinacea ‘Julia’…a very compact orange-flowered coneflower with sturdy stems.Echinacea Salsa Red8

Echinacea ‘Salsa Red’ is one of the most floriferous coneflowers we grow…truly amazing!

Echinacea Secret Glow5Echinacea ‘Secret Glow’…love this color and flower form!