Question From: Portsmouth, Virginia, United States
Q: my cone flowers have had flowers for 2 years. now they are growing slow and have had no flowers. what can I do?
A: Your coneflowers are probably losing their vigor. Old fashioned cone flowers have a life span of 4 to 5 Dividing every 2 to 3 years will increase their vigor. Newer varieties are less vigorous. Some last only a single season, others just 2 or 3 seasons. Dr. Allan Armitage recommends disbudding the plant the first season of flowering to increase their vigor. Fat chance, right? Too much water or fertilizer will not help. Wish I had a magic potion, but I don't. Best Nancy
