I've had good luck with PC. But, the best to grow, are the old ones, not the new varieties. I have good luck with magnus, and I have some pink ones that I'm not sure what the variety is. Mine die back in the fall and come back in the spring. They also come up everywhere in the flower bed. So, I transplant them where ever I want some. I just deadheaded them, and threw away a lot of seed. But, I can keep seed and share them. If you are interested in some hardy, no name coneflowers, that even attract red spotted purples, I'll share my seed this fall. How I grow them: I stick them in the ground, and water them until they are established. Then I just forget about them. My soil is sandy loam, but has lots of silty clay in it also. It can get pretty hard when it gets really dry. Silvery crescentspot cats sometimes defoliate the plants, but that's ok with me. When everything starts to droop in the garden, I water. I don't feed them, and I don't mulch them. I also have the new named varieties. The blooms are pretty when they first appear, but they don't stay true as they age. They actually look worse than the old no-name variety. But they are spreading and thriving. Sandy

It's normal - resin will ooze out of cut petioles, and it is clear, thick and gooey. After it sets it does look like ice. It seems to happen after an extended period of moisture. It's as if excess water is released as the sap flows up. x

Thanks! I could not find that one in any eastern tree cricket search or in my guides. I'll check for the Latin name now that you've pointed it out.

If it's a high-rise or commercial (steel framing, fireproof concrete construction type), the floor could be gypsum concrete. I think it has to be sealed with something before new leveler can be set on it. Casey