Name: Echinacea ‘Milkshake’
Type of Plant: Perennial for full sun in zones 5-9
Why I love this: This cone flower has proved to be very strong, reliable and long flowering in my garden. I love the round dome of fluffy small petals with a yellow center, surrounded by a skirt of crisp, white drooping petals. The flower develops this shape over time so you have a transformation from a simple white daisy to the final shape as the center dome fills out and those daily petals elongate downwards.
This perennial grows to about 3 feet tall and attracts bees, butterflies and birds. If you deadhead it as the flowers go by the plant can also rebloom in the fall. But even if you don’t, this perennial is in flower for a long time, from mid-June into August.
A Word to the Wise: Echinacea does best in well drained soils. In general they hate having wet feet, especially in the winter.
This photo shows the transformation that the flowers go through, from simple white daisy-like bloom to a fluffy cone with a skirt of crisp, white petals. The honeybee on this flower is typical – bees and butterflies love this plant!
Echinacea ‘Milkshake’ is a bright spot in any perennial garden. This plant is particularly attractive when planted in front of darker foliage, flowers or ornaments such as a bird bath.
