| Solving Coneflower Problems | |
|---|---|
| Symptoms | Probable Cause |
| Plants Rot; Die Over Winter | Poor Drainage |
| Holes in Leaves and Flowers | Japanese Beetles |
| Leaves Covered with White Powder | Powdery Mildew |
Plants Rot and Die Over-Winter Due to Poor Drainage
While purple coneflowers appreciate moist soil, they do not tolerate soggy soil. Often poor soil drainage causes winter rains and snow to pool near plants and saturate the soil around their roots, causing them to rot.
The key to assuring that soil drains well, and simultaneously absorb moisture available to plants, is building a soil that’s rich in organic matter. Improve your soil by mixing in chopped leaves, hay, commercial bagged compost, humus or peat moss. Organic mulch also conditions the soil as it gradually decomposes over the season.
