Big Sky coneflowers

by Joan Fittery
(Lakeville, MN zone 4)

My Big Sky Sunset coneflower bloomed in the expected color the first year. In subsequent years it seems to have reverted to the old standard purple coneflower. I purposely planted the Big Sky in the front yard, away from the purple Magnus variety in the back yard. Did they get cross-pollinated anyway? I love the new varieities of coneflowers coming out not, but it's not worth their price if they are going to revert anyway.

Doug says that if it's the same plant - not a seedling, then the plant has reverted. Reversion is one of those vexing problems for both the nursery and gardeners and is something that isn't understood. It happens in almost all hybrids to one degree or other - some rarely, some on division, some for no darn good reason at all on a whim. But it'a fact of gardening life - and the nurseries look for stable hybrids but the fact is (and nurseries don't want folks to understand this) with the speed that modern hybrids are introduced today (without a lot of testing to "beat" the competition) this kind of thing is more common than you might like to believe.

It is what it is. If you want the new stuff - you have to take the risk.

Try asking your nursery if they guarantee the plant is true to name - if not - find a nursery that does. If they do, take it back and tell them it's not blooming with the advertised color. I know it's a long proving time but good nurseries will get refunds from their suppliers for this kind of problem as well.