I'm in the same zone but am on the East coast on the beach so it's very humid here. I don't know if you have humdity and don't know if it matters. We rarely get snow, either. Just FYI...

But I bought some last year from Burpee, called Warm Summer. My first experience with coneflowers.

To me, they looked identical to Cheyenne Spirit. I felt they did well enough that I bought another 4 pk this year. They arrived very lush and pretty big.

They did bloom last year but not very profusely because it was a bit later in the season when I planted them, I think. They survived and came back this year. Here's what they looked like about a week ago.

{{gwi:207112}}

The one on the right looks like its dying. I just moved them about three weeks ago from another part of the garden. So don't know if I hurt it since it was not real established. The rootball fell apart. Also, they are getting drowned by all the rain. That might be it. But before I moved it, it looked fine.

Here is another one of the 4 that I'd planted and then dug up late fall and put into a 6" pot and never got around to replanting. I never protected it with mulch or leaved. It just sat out all winter. It survived just fine and looks healthy. I just took this pic tonight:

{{gwi:207113}}

I don't know if this helps or not. Basically, I''m saying that I'm pleased with the Warm Summer and aside from some pics of the Cheyenne Spirit showing a cream-colored one (these don't), they look identical to me. But what do I know?? I'm no expert...lol.

bonnie

Bonnieâ¦..thanks for your reply. I'm actually in zone 8b, so a little warmer than you but plenty of humidity here in San Antonio. We've actually already hit an official high of 99 here once last week!

Santamiller...I 'was' wrong about your zone. Sorry. I missread the beginning of your post and just saw the number 7 (remember to put on reading glasses !! LOL)

WOW! 99* already? We get there too but definitely not yet. I will say tho, altho I use the zone that the map says, we are on a little peninsula right on the Chesapeake Bay and so very often do not have the same weather as people even just 20 miles away.

It's like we're in a little microclimate all our own. That's why I have my zone listed a bit higher than it's supposed to be. I've yet to find a map that I could zoom in on and still see details. I'm right on the edge, between the two, I believe. Plus, someone I met on here who lives nearby uses zone 8a so I just use both...lol.

bonnir

We're back to low 80s this week but by mid June low 90s plus will be the rule. Love those Texas summersâ¦..NOT!

I suspect that Echinacea species adapted to that part of Texas will do better than the hybrids, but the latter are worth trying (especially if you can grow them inexpensively from seed (i.e. Pow Wow Wild Berry and Cheyenne Spirit).

Here's one Texas native coneflower (doesn't seem too drought-adapted though).

Yeah, the hybrids contain E paradoxa, I have no idea how heat tolerant it is...though I do know it's very range restricted.

I grow native Echenacea augustifolia because it is indigenous to the Central texas area if the deer do not find it. . E. purpurea is East of here and needs a more friendly dirt, maybe a clay based humus.. I Have had luck with Hula dancer and some of the white ones. E tenniseensis did well in my yard. I have tried E paradox. It comes up year after year but it does not bloom. I have a very xeric yard. I do not water. I am in the high limestone hills west of Austin.

That's some good info. Thanks very much!

I did water to establish. I see many of the E augustifolias coming up now and we have had NO rain . You guys in SA have had more rain this spring than us.I watch the green blobs on the radar with envy.

We've had more rain that you? Holy crap. You're in serious trouble! :) It's just pitiful here. Where exactly are you? We have a place in East Texas and they've had a ton of rain over the winter and spring. Sure wish we'd get some of it.

I am in the Hamilton Pool area north of Dripping Springs by 10 miles. We have had about 1.5" since The beginning of the year. We had healthy rains in November and then nada.