Tennessee purple-coneflower

Year-round

Tennessee coneflower is grown here as a garden perennial, not as a native plant. It comes from a small number of limestone cedar glades in Middle Tennessee, but it adapts well to Atlanta's zone 7b/8a climate with full sun and well drained soil.

• This species was once federally listed as endangered. It recovered enough in its native Tennessee cedar glades that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service delisted it in 2011.
• It is not native to Georgia. Its only wild populations are a small number of limestone cedar glades in Rutherford, Davidson, and Wilson counties in Middle Tennessee.
• Give it at least 6 hours of direct sun a day and soil that drains well, especially in Atlanta's clay.
• Water new plants regularly the first year. Established plants handle heat and short dry spells well.
• Space plants for good airflow to help prevent leaf spot and powdery mildew in humid summers.

A tidy clump of coneflowers in a front bed reads as an intentional garden planting rather than a wildflower patch.

Fall

Fall is a low stress time to plant or divide Tennessee coneflower, and it is also when to start leaving seed heads standing for winter birds.

• Divide crowded clumps in early fall while the soil is still warm.
• Cut back only the flower stalks you do not want to leave for birds.
• Stop fertilizing by late summer so new growth has time to harden off before frost.
• Clear away fallen leaves from nearby trees to reduce fungal disease pressure over winter.

Winter

Tennessee coneflower goes dormant in winter and needs little attention beyond leaving some structure standing for wildlife.

• Leave dried seed heads and stems standing through winter for birds and overwintering insects.
• Wait until late winter or early spring to cut the plant back hard.
• Mulch lightly around the crown after a hard freeze warning, then pull heavy mulch back once new growth starts.
• Avoid walking on the dormant crown in wet clay soil, which can compact it.

Standing dried stems can look unkempt to some neighbors. A neat edge or border around the bed helps it read as intentional rather than neglected.

Spring

Spring is the best window to plant new Tennessee coneflowers or divide established clumps, once the soil has warmed and the last frost has passed.

• Plant new starts after the average last frost date for the Atlanta area, usually early to mid April.
• Work compost into heavy clay soil before planting to improve drainage.
• Water new transplants two to three times a week until roots establish.
• Expect slower spring growth than common purple coneflower. This species is not as vigorous.

Summer

Summer brings the long bloom season for Tennessee coneflower, from June into August, and established plants handle Atlanta's heat and humidity well.

• Water deeply during extended dry spells, especially in the first year after planting.
• Skip overhead watering. Wetting the leaves in humid weather raises the risk of powdery mildew and leaf spot.
• Deadhead spent blooms if you want more flowers, or leave some seed heads for later in the season.
• Avoid heavy fertilizer. Rich soil makes the plant leggy and more likely to flop.