wonders as centrepieces Plants grow into three- to four-foot-high displays LAST WEEK we looked at a perennial which is com- moaplace in the average North Shore garden. This week I thought I might discuss a somewhat similar plant which is usuaily less often seen. The purple cone flower (echinea purpurea), sometimes erroneously referred to as rudbeckia purpurea, is not an overly rare plant. I have seen it frequently offered for sale in many different garden centres; it is just not commonly planted. i suppose this is because it does not look like much when potential purchasers first encounter it. They are usually sold four-inch pots and there really isn’t much to look at while they’re this small unless they are accompanied by a picture. it will be three or four years before your patience is rewarded with a sizable clump producing a strong, three- to four-foot-high display of purple-crimson flowers. These four- to five-in- ch-diameter blooms have back- pointing petals and large, cone- shaped, orange centres. Its habit of blooming from July through September makes it a valuable contributor of late season color in the perennial border. When not in bloom, it bears a strong resemblance to its close cousin, the rudbeckia. With its stiffly upright growth _and slightly hairy, lanceolate leaves, it is easy to see why it is confused with this species. Geoff Tepiasson OVER THE GARDEN GATE As with the rudbeckia, the cone flower prefers sites that are drier rather than overiy wet, and more sun than less. Having said this, { should follow it up by acknowledging this plant’s tolerance for locations that are less than perfect. Combine with their outstanding hardiness the fact that they are generally trouble-free and you will begin to wonder, as I do, why it is not more frequently seen. | ‘FINALLY A BED THAT SITS AND SLEEPS WELL _ * Available in fabric & leather ‘© Over 70 styles in stock » Non-sagging bed slats « Storage inside The most commonly available purple-crimson forms are those grown from seed. More difficult to find but worth the hunt are outstanding named varieties such as e.p. ‘‘Robert Bloom,’ a rich, purple-rose, e.p. “The King’ with its unusual crimson-pink shades, and e.p “White Lustre’? which is snow white with a deep orange centre. These plants spread slowly via their thick, fleshy rhizome-like roots. Divide and replant the multi- crowned clumps formed by these root systems between November and March, Propagation is best ac- complished by taking of root cut- tings during the month of Febru- ary and planting them in a 50/50 mixture of peat and sand. Keep these cuttings moist until the leaves begin to appear, then transfer them out in the garden. Seed collected frorn last year’s flowers is best stored over winter in a dry, cool environment. It should be sown into a nursery bed in the garden in April and transferred to its permanent loca- tion in November. These are terrific plants to use as the taller centrepiece for an island bed or a perennial border. They are enhanced when sur- rounded by slightly smaller plants such as last week’s Shasta daisies. ret AY NEWS photo Cindy @ Goodman CATHY WEBER is part of the West Van Florist team that makes flower arrangements for weddings, parties and funerals. Permanent displays are made from dried flowers and silk plants. All stock Must Go So we can make room a ine Some delivery conditions apply. <—_ FREE DELIVERY, FREE SET UP, FREE PICK UP OF OLD MATTRESS G86-1361 Sun. 12-5 p.m.