Echinacea 'Ifecsspur' SUNSEEKERS PURPLELICIOUS coneflower
size/type
mid-sized perennial,mid-sized perennial
usual height
0,4-0,5m
usual width
0,3-0,4m
leaves
deciduous broadleaf
colour of leaves
flowers
showy
colour of flowers
blooming time
July-September
location
full sun
soil type
any (acidic to alkaline)
soil moisture requirements
evenly moist but well-drained
USDA zone (lowest)
4 (down to -34°C)
winter protection
for zone 5+6
for zone 7
categorized
SunSeekers is a coneflower series bred by Innoflora BV and marketed by Gootjes AllPlant BV from the Netherlands. The first part consists of varieties whose patent names begin with Apecss- and comprises of plants with single flowers of remarkably rich colours. While the second part of the series with patent names beginning with Ifecss- breaks through with a completely new and innovative design of mostly semi-double flowers which recall gerbera and dahlia rather than a coneflower or those with uniquely coloured ray florets. The first and hugely successful variety was SUNSEEKERS SALMON that was awarded Gold Medal by KVBC at Plantarium Exhibition 2018. Since then SunSeekers series is taking the coneflower world by the storm.
Description of the plant:
Apart from the beauty of the flowers, coneflowers are also sought after for their amazing fragrance. It is mostly described as honey-sweet with varying intensity. However, those of you who are able to differentiate for example various scents of roses, these perennials may challenge you to try and tell what each variety smells like. SUNSEEKERS PURPLELICIOUS is a coneflower variety from 2021 and exhibits a perfume giant because its flowers smell intensely like oriental lilies – very sweet and a little spicy. They are huge: 11-13 cm across with petals slightly narrower than usual, somewhat undulated, acuminate and here and there laid one above the other, giving a semi-double appearance. They are soft pastel pink as they open and soon turn glowing purple pink which is a colour they hold until maturation. Central discs are deep orange-brown, conspicuously convex, and hide plenty of nectar for butterflies, bumble bees as well as bees. Flowering begins in July and lasts until the last sunny and warm days of September or even October. Longevity of individual flowers is 2-3 weeks. Plants are compact and well-branched. Stems are usually 40-50 cm tall. Deadhead spent flowers regularly and feed the plants every two weeks during summer. Leaves are healthy, deep green, and lanceolate. Granted patents: PP34432 (USA – 2022) and 66740 (EU – 2024).
The plant is usually trouble-free and resistant, just be careful if slugs are present in your garden. Since coneflowers emerge quite late, often when slugs are already in their lethal strength, they could gobble up newly emerging foliage totally and thus destroy the plant before it even comes out.
Coneflower will tolerate almost any soil type but boggy. It is a prairie plant which suggests that it loves plenty of sun and heat and dislikes excess watering. Still, keep it slightly moist in the first year after transplanting, even before and perhaps during winter (if too dry) to help it establish well. From the second year it rarely requires other irrigation than rain. It is suitable for mixed perennial borders or can be used as a flowering feature among low shrubs and conifers and looks lovely when planted in a mass in a container on patios and balconies. Fully hardy to about -34 °C (USDA zone 4).
Last update 02-09-2024
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