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Echinacea SUNSEEKERS CLEMENTINE 'Ifecsscle' coneflower
Symbivit Tric (arbuscular)
Symbivit (arbuscular)Echinacea
The genus Echinacea, the coneflower, comprises nine recognised species of perennial plants native to the prairies and open habitats of North America, where their ancestors have evolved over millions of years. Fossilised pollen of related members of the daisy family has been found in deposits tens of millions of years old, showing that the lineage from which coneflowers arose was present on the continent long before humans arrived. The name of the genus comes from the Greek echinos – hedgehog – and refers to the prickly cone at the centre of the flower head, a feature shared by all species. The genus was formally described by the German botanist Konrad Mönch (1744–1805) on the basis of herbarium material brought to Europe by missionaries and naturalists returning from American expeditions in the late eighteenth century. Even then, botanists noticed that the species differed not only in flower colour but also in the shape of the ray florets, height and ecological preferences, which later led to taxonomic debates about the boundaries between E. pallida, E. angustifolia and E. purpurea. The genus became known not only for its ornamental appeal but also for its traditional use by Indigenous peoples of North America, who applied coneflower preparations for pain, inflammation, snakebite and even rabies. It reached Europe at the turn of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, though for a long time it remained more of a botanical curiosity than a garden favourite.
Echinacea purpurea, the purple coneflower, is the most widespread species of the genus, originating from the moister prairies and bright woodland edges from Oklahoma to Tennessee, where it grows in deeper, nutrient‑rich soils. Although its formal description dates back to the Linnaean era, real interest in the species rose only when it became part of the traditional medicine of North American tribes, especially the Sioux and Comanche, who used it as a versatile remedy. It entered European gardens as an exotic perennial with an unusual flower form, but its modern fame began in the 1990s, when botanists in Chicago started crossing E. purpurea with the bright yellow E. paradoxa. In 1995 the first orange cultivar, Art’s Pride, was created, launching an era of hybrid coneflowers in shades ranging from apricot to raspberry. These hybrids spread quickly thanks to their robustness, long flowering period and ability to bring colours to gardens that had never before been seen in coneflowers. From a once medicinal prairie plant, it has become one of the most important perennials in contemporary garden design, combining cultural history, botanical interest and modern breeding enthusiasm.
SUNSEEKERS CLEMENTINE coneflower brings a vividly vibrant orange hue to garden beds – a shade reminiscent of ripe mandarins. Its flowers are exceptionally large: 9-11 cm across, with richly coloured petals that, as the bloom matures, develop a noticeable purplish tint around the centre, eventually flushing through the entire ray floret before fading. The central discs are domed, orange-brown, and offer plentiful nectar for butterflies, bumblebees, and honeybees. Each bloom lasts about 2–3 weeks. The plant itself grows to around 50 cm, with sturdy stems and a compact habit that lends a polished, modern appearance even within dynamic planting schemes. Leaves are healthy, deep green, slightly rough in texture, and lanceolate in shape. The cultivar was bred by Glenn Spil and introduced in 2023.
Coneflowers of this type are so structurally strong and well-formed that they can easily complement smaller shrubs or robust (semi)woody perennials like hybrid hypericums, which offer colorful fruits from midsummer onwards. They look stunning alongside airy indigo bushes or the finely textured Mexican orange blossom. I’ve even seen them used by fans of dwarf conifers, who previously brushed away any ideas of perennials – and suddenly, here’s a jewel of colour and soft foliage among their beloved needles, and it works beautifully!
These plants are bred by Innoflora B.V. of the Netherlands. Their journey to fame began in 2018, when the first cultivar, SUNSEEKERS SALMON, won the prestigious gold medal from KVBC at the Dutch novelty fair Plantarium and took the coneflower world by storm. The credit goes to breeder Jelle van den Haak, who created six standout cultivars in the series. Yet, cultivars appearing after 2020 carry a distinct handwriting and signature – that of Glenn Spil, another accomplished breeder. These newer varieties also have inventive, flavourful names that sound so tasty (yet inedible), such as Pumpkin Pie, Mineola, Watermelon, or simply Citrus 😊. Imaginative, right? All of these cultivars bear the label Plants for Pollinators invented by the RHS (Royal Horticultural Society), thanks to their rich nectar that supports bees, butterflies, and other pollinators.
After flowering, simply deadhead spent flowers or cut back the top of the stem to the first or second leaf. Leave the stem grow as new buds emerge along it and continue flowering tirelessly until summer’s end. To encourage budding, regular feeding with a flowering plant fertilizer every two weeks is ideal. Watch out for slugs in early spring: they may damage new growth, which appears later than other perennials – just when these uninvited guests are at full destructive strength.
Last update 22-07-2025
Coneflowers are undemanding perennials that thrive in full sun and in well‑drained, fertile soil that does not remain waterlogged. They dislike acidic ground, while neutral to slightly alkaline soils suit them well. Removing spent flowers can extend the flowering period, though it is not essential, as most modern hybrids bloom reliably even without deadheading. Feeding should be moderate – a liquid fertiliser every two to three weeks during the growing season is sufficient. Because they originate from the North American prairies, where summer rainfall is more frequent than in the long dry spells typical of temperate Europe, hybrid cultivars appreciate additional watering during extended drought; otherwise they may reduce flower production. Their stems are sturdy and withstand wind and heavy summer storms. In spring, young shoots must be protected from slugs, which can damage new growth; barriers, mechanical protection and classic beer traps all work well. Coneflowers are long‑lived, overwinter successfully and require no winter cover. Most cultivars tolerate frost down to at least –29 °C (USDA zone 5).
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- STANDARD QUALITY - Plants of this group are 1st class quality with number of branches and overall density adequate to their size and age, considering they were container grown.
- DE LUXE QUALITY - This label guarantees a luxurious quality of manually selected plants that, compared to their height and age, are exceptionally dense and beautiful.
- EXTRA - These plants are usually mature and bigger specimens with exceptional overall appearance.
- STANDARD (as described in the plant form) means a tree with a trunk of 190-210 cm and a crown at the top, unless specified differently. The commercial size for trees is their girth measured in the height of 1m from ground.
- HOBBY - These plants are of the same quality as our standard-quality plants but younger and therefore cheaper.
- SHRUB - a woody plant with branches growing bushy from the ground level.
- HALF-STANDARD or MINI-STANDARD - a small tree with shorter trunk, its size is usually specified.
- FEATHERED - These are trees with branches growing already from the base of the trunk and up along the stem.
- GRASSES and PERENNIALS - Sizes given usually read the diameter of the pot or the clump, as specified.
