White flowers can brighten a border without competing with the rest of the garden, but one daisy-like perennial offers something else once its blooms open. Its white petals surround a raised orange cone that draws pollinators, including hummingbirds. Plant it in a sunny spot in fall, give the roots time to settle in, and it can return with flowers that bring movement to the garden next season.
Crazy White coneflower (Echinacea ‘Noam Saul’) resembles a daisy from a distance, but it belongs to the same group of flowering perennials as other echinaceas.
Its petals are pure white rather than the purple or pink associated with many coneflowers, while the center forms the raised cone that gives the plant its name.
Give it a sunny place
Flower production depends on light.
Plant Crazy White coneflower where it can receive at least six hours of direct sun each day. More shade can mean fewer of the flowers you’re growing it for.
It works in perennial borders, informal gardens, containers, and larger groups where several plants create a patch of white blooms.
The plant is suited to USDA Zones 5 through 8.
Drainage matters more than soil type
This coneflower can handle several soil types and pH levels, but it doesn’t want its roots sitting in water.
Choose a location where excess water can drain rather than collect around the crown.
That becomes important through cold, wet periods when poorly drained soil can create problems around perennial roots.
Why hummingbirds visit
Coneflowers are useful pollinator plants, and the raised centers provide feeding opportunities for visitors moving through the garden.
Hummingbirds may stop at the blooms while insects, butterflies, and other pollinators can also visit the flowers.
Planting several together creates a larger target than a single isolated flower and keeps the white color visible across the bed.
Deadhead for more flowers
Once flowering begins, removing spent blooms can encourage the plant to continue producing flowers rather than putting all its energy into seed.
Cut faded flowers back as they finish.
That extends the period when fresh blooms are available to visiting pollinators.
Later in the season, you don’t have to remove every seed head. Leaving some standing can add winter structure and provide seeds for birds.
Give it time to establish
Coneflowers are perennials, so don’t judge the plant by its first season.
Roots and crowns strengthen as the plant establishes, and the display can become larger over subsequent growing seasons.
An annual spring feeding can support new growth, but good sun and drainage remain the priorities.
White petals, an orange cone, and a sunny patch of well-drained soil. It may resemble a daisy when you first see it, but once the flowers open and hummingbirds start investigating, the difference becomes much easier to notice.