Thanks to the innovative ‘FastraX’ breeding method, you won’t have to wait until next season to enjoy the beauty of this perennial. ‘PollyNation™ Orange Red’ is a coneflower with striking dark orange ray florets that blooms in its first growing year if seed starting begins early enough.
The mature plant grows to approximately 65 cm in height and develops a deep, strong root system, making it highly tolerant of drought and heat in the summer. The nectar-rich orange flowers attract beneficial pollinators, bumblebees, and butterflies to the garden, actively contributing to the biodiversity of your home garden. Due to its compact and upright form, this variety is an excellent choice for traditional flower beds, but it also adapts very well to limited growing spaces, making it ideal for large containers and pots on a sunny terrace.
Usage and Cultivation Instructions:
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Sowing time and seed starting: To achieve blooming in the same summer (July), start seeds indoors as early as February. If you sow seeds in late spring or summer, the plant will begin blooming the following year.
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Suitable location: Choose the warmest, full-sun location possible in the garden. The soil should be well-draining with a lighter texture. Excessively wet soil, especially during the winter dormancy period, can be fatal to the roots.
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Sowing depth: Sow seeds on the surface of a moist substrate, covering them with only a very thin (up to 2 mm) layer of soil or vermiculite, as the seeds require light to germinate.
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Germination and pricking out: Keep the seed tray at 20–22 °C and ensure the soil does not dry out. Once sprouted, move the plants to a slightly cooler (15–18 °C) and as bright a room as possible to prevent the stems from stretching.
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Plant spacing: Transplant young plants to their permanent outdoor location only after the spring night frosts have ended (usually early June). Maintain a planting distance of 30–40 cm.
Tips and recommendations:
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When growing in terrace pots or garden vases, ensure there is a proper layer of expanded clay or stones (drainage) at the bottom of the container, as standing water is more dangerous for coneflowers than temporary dryness.
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Deadhead wilted flowers during the first half of summer to direct the plant’s energy into forming new flower buds. Leave the last autumn blooms on the stems—their seed heads are decorative in the winter garden and attract birds looking for food.
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Before finally planting pre-cultivated plants outdoors, harden them off for about a week: take the pots to a sheltered spot outdoors during the day and bring them back inside for the night.