Cone flowers did not appear this spring!

by Benjie Brown
(North Eastern N. C.)

I bought 6 or 7 coneflowers last year and doug out nice places with good soil, drainage , etc. Everything I thought they needed. I mulched them this winter but so far this spring (May now) I haven't seen one sprout come up.... What happened? I thought they were suppose to be hardy! Tell me what you think.
Thanking you, Benjie

Doug says a) it could be too early - have patience. b) too much nice soil and moisture around the crown killed them (this is a full sun, well-drained soil plant c) mulch over top of them will usually rot the crown because of excessive moisture.

That's what I think - sorry it isn't good news. But you might want to dig around a bit and see if the roots are still there and still hard. If soft and mushy - they're gone