Ruby Star Coneflower

Follow a regular watering schedule during the first growing season to establish a deep, extensive root system. For a neat appearance, remove old foliage before new leaves emerge. Divide clumps every 2 to 3 years in early spring.

Coneflowers are ideal for the middle of the perennial border. They grow quickly to fill out foundation plantings and break up long fence lines. Particularly charming against split rail fences, they are a country garden staple. These plants are remarkably drought resistant which makes them compatible with many grasses for a mixed meadow or prairie composition. Their breeding also makes these prime cutting flowers. As North American natives they are great choices for meadow and wild garden perennial color.

This is a new cultivar of the perennial native to a huge range across the middle of North American prairies. The genus and species were classified by German botanist Konrad Monech in the latter 18th century. He chose the name from the Greek for hedgehog, alluding to the sharp pointed bracts of the seed receptacle. This particular species was originally classified by Linnaeus as a member of genus Rudbeckia, and incorrectly by Nathaniel Britton of the New York Botanical gardens as Brauneria. It is an important wildlife habitat plant used as a medicinal among the Plains Indians to treat snake bite and has newfound prominence as a nutritional supplement. Ruby Star was bred by Coen Jansen in Hanover Germany and introduced by Jiletto Seeds in 2000.