Echinacea ‘Southern Belle’ PPAF

The latest addition to our ever-growing, popular line of Cone-fections series
from the breeding brilliance of Arie Blom of AB-Cultivars in The Netherlands.

Grower Introduction – 2011  |   Retail Introduction 2012

Size: 30-36” tall by 30-36” wide
USDA Hardiness Zones: 5(4)-9
Soil: moist, but well drained
Sun: full sun
Diseases/pests: none known
Landscape Use: Borders, foundation plantings, small urban gardens, wildlife gardens, cutting gardens, containers
Market Appeal/Uniqueness: Southern Belle has flat ray petals that stick out from the fully double, deep magenta colored cone like a formal pink pettiskirt.  Arie has infused Echinacea tennesseensis into the mix   giving this new selection extreme vigor, amazing bloom power and a super long life.
Propagation methods: tissue culture, divisions
Date of introduction to market: June 2011
Bloom time: Early to mid June for 12-14 weeks

Angela’s Garden Notes

We are thrilled to bring you this fantastic new selection for 2011/12.

The color saturation on each bloom of Southern Belle is quite unbelievable.  Images look as if they have been altered, but it truly is that deep and bright.  A true magenta in every sense of the word.  Crayola would be proud.

This new selection is the first of our hugely popular Cone-fections series to name the long lived Echinacea tenneseensis , with it’s floriferous and super long blooming period, one of its parents.

The blooms of Southern Belle resemble a fancy party skirt and they last for weeks before fading to a softer pink.  The blooming period of this plant may very well be the longest of any hybrid introduced yet.