The first bloom is always the best on coneflowers. I don't really consider the blooms ruby. They are more of a darker pink to me. I don't even think Ruby Giant is ruby. I guess it's false advertising!

Definitely false advertising! I don't really mind though, another weird thing is most of the blooms are AWAY from facing the sun - like coming up on the other side of the plant. Whatever, it's a newbie so maybe next year it will be different.

This is one of my Ruby Star, taken during bright noon light today. Is this the color you like or don't like?

{{gwi:239992}}

Gosh, I HOPE my Ruby Star looks like that! Mine hasn't bloomed yet.

This color is still not ruby. Ruby is a very good red color. These are just a darker pink. Why in the world did they name these "Ruby?" They clearly are not ruby in the slightest!

My first bloom was darker than that one, and the rest are lighter than that one. As I said, no big deal, just wondering why. Now I know it's expected.

I have to update this topic and let everyone know that this plant has a problem in tissue culture. I looked at a whole bunch of these today that are for sale. Only one plant looked like the picture on the label. Some were a very pale pink and some were almost white. This plant is not reproducing true in tissue culture at all. I think this plant should be recalled. If you buy one and it has two blooms on it that don't look like the picture you shoudld return it. These people need to start testing these plants out before releasing them. When I originally answered your question I had no idea how bad this problem is. I thought you meant they were a little different. You shouldn't have to take this. They should replace that plant and give you the one you really were supposed to get.

Yeh, most of the blooms are pale pink. I wouldn't mind if they were full looking, but the petals are slim and barely touch each other. The problem is = I can't remember where I bought it! I've been to Lowe's, Home Depot, and about 5 different local nurseries. I think I did buy it at Lowe's. I'll have to search for a receipt. This plant is really not doing much for me or my garden I have to say. Bleh.

The ones I saw were at Home Depot. Only 1 out of 2 racks looked like the picture. That is shocking to me. How could this happen?

They also had Sundowns which were produced by the same supplier and they had distorted petals and some with petals missing. Some also weren't the correct color as well.

I think these have been treated with a hormone to make them all bloom too. This things are not good plants for our gardens. They are deformed and we should not buy them anymore.

I agree. Now I have to hope I kept the receipt, otherwise I'm stuck with it.