Gorgeous! Keep posting those pics!

Cameron

Yes do keep the pictures coming although I think your pictures are what is fueling my latest addiction, Your seedlings are downright beautiful, thanks for sharing.

Annette

EM,
How do you collect the seeds and do you use any special technique to germinate them?
Thanks for posting your pictures, very interesting!

Very beautiful! However, I'm curious what you mean by crossed. How do you do it?

Alia - I collect the seeds in the fall. This year I'm having to protect them from the birds though. It's really easy. I just take the dried up blooms after the stalks start turning brown and get the seeds out of the cone. They are really like little sunflower heads. Maybe that's why these yellow finch birds are everywhere this year. I put mine in the veggie drawer in zip lock bags for a couple of months and then plant them indoors, but next year will be winter-sowing them due to better germination rates. Some of the varieties don't germinate as well. Razzmatazz didn't germinate at all, but Pink Double Delight did almost 100%. It's actually fun to see what will come up next year.

EM -- are your echinaceas out in a garden where deer can have access? I've not had any problems with my current echinacea, but I do wonder if I'm pushing my luck with deer. They've not touched any of my echinacea this year, but if I go out and plant a lot more, I wonder if I'll start having problems. There is a very large herd living on our property and it seems to increase by 3 fawns every June.

Cameron

Cameron,

I've never had trouble with deer. I have the ones I crossed in pots outside, but the ones I decide to keep I plant in a circular flower bed. Deer live in the area, but they stay in the woods here and don't bother our plants. Rabbits did eat my sunflower plants this year though.

Cameron,

I have deers coming in my gardens all the time. On occasion the yearlings or fawns may snip a bud to try them but discover there's better pickings and leave them alone for Phlox Paniculata or Campanulas. The adult deers never eat the Echs.

I tried something this year to deter them after a young gentleman suggested it at our garden meeting in winter. He said that 'Bounce' fabric softener kept them away. I took some sheets and cut into small ribbons and tied them to the stems of the Phlox close to the tips. As they grew I would move the ribbons up, replacing them if the scent had gone. Did about three stems per plant. Since doing this in late June the deers have not gone after the Phlox. They have gone after the Hostas so I know they are still here (they come at night).

The Phlox are about to bloom which will be a true test. I've tried Tree Guard, Irish Soap, a garlic spray, etc. If this works, I just have to figure out how to inconspicuously place Bounce on Hostas. :O)

Sorry Echinaceamaniac for stealing a bit of your post... Your flowers are truly beautiful! I can see why everyone likes the last one the best. Gorgeous! You'll do well winter sowing your seeds. I have so many from winter sowing last year I had to create another holding bed to plant them in. (I wait to see what they look like before placing them in the gardens.) Looking good!

Here's an updated photo of my double white coneflower. I'm hoping the yellow cone will stay in the center and have just a ring of the white frilly petals, but I'm thinking it might be gradually taken over by them. I think this plant is beautiful. I'll post more photos as it develops.

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