Echinacea 'Cheyenne Spirit' 2013 AAS Flower Award Winner
This stunning first-year flowering echinacea captures the spirit of the North American plains by producing a delightful mix of flower colors from rich purple, pink, red and orange tones to lighter yellows, creams and white. This wide range of flower colors on well branched, durable plants are sure to please the color preferences of any gardener. As an added bonus, ‘Cheyenne Spirit’ does not require a lot of water and offers a wide range of uses from the perennial border, in a mass landscape planting, in a butterfly garden or as a cut flower.
The AAS judges and their trial garden visitors raved about the attractiveness of the flowers and the range of colors while appreciating its sturdiness and low water needs. Even during wind and rain, this compact plant does not topple over like many echinacea. The variety of intense, bright colors adds sparkle to the garden from mid-summer through fall. As an added bonus, this maintenance-free echinacea doesn’t even need deadheading to provide summer long beauty.
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AAS Winner Primary Details |
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| Award | AAS Flower Award Winner |
| Class | Echinacea |
| Variety Name | 'Cheyenne Spirit' |
| Genus | Echinacea |
| Species | hybrida |
| Year | 2013 |
| Common Name | Coneflower |
| Type | Flowers |
| Breeder | Kieft Seed |
Close Market Comparison: 'Paradiso Mix,' 'Magnus,' 'Bravado'
| Plant Needs | |
| Duration Type | Perennial |
| Hardiness Zone/Hardy to Zone | Zone 4 |
| Light Needs | Full sun |
| Water Needs | Drought tolerant |
| Dead Heading Recommended | NO |
| Staking Required | NO |
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Plant Characteristics |
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| Foliage Color | Green |
| Plant Habit | Bushy, Upright |
| Plant Height | Tall: Over 24" |
| Garden Spacing | 24 inches |
| Bloom Time | Summer, Fall |
| Bloom Color | Red, Pink, Yellow, Orange, Purple, White |
| Bloom Color Pattern | Solid |
| Bloom Size | 3-3.5 inches |
| Fragrance | Slight |
| Weather Tolerance | Drought |
| Pollinator Friendly | Bees, Butterflies |
| Home Gardener Use | |
| Container | YES |
| Medium Height Divider | YES |
| Cut Flower | YES |
All echinacea are perennials and native to the American prairie. To produce plants from seed that will flower the first year, sow seed no later than January 25, regardless of location. Sow seed on top of germination media that has been thoroughly wet and allowed to drain. Seed can be exposed to light or covered lightly with media. Maintain 65F to 70F soil media for 10 to 15 days, the length of time for germination. Seedlings can be transplanted into larger containers within 20 to 28 days. Transplant into a full-sun garden location with amended soil that is well draining. Plants thrive with few disease or insect problems.
Canna 'South Pacific Scarlet' F1 2013 AAS Flower Award Winner
This variety is grown from seed, not tuber. Compact in habit and well suited for both landscape and container use. Canna 'South Pacific Scarlet' prefers warm and humid conditions over 77F. This variety is more vigorous, more uniform, and has more basal branching than Canna Tropical Red.
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AAS Winner Primary Details |
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| Award | AAS Flower Award Winner |
| Class | Canna |
| Variety Name | 'South Pacific Scarlet' F1 |
| Genus | Canna |
| Species | generalis |
| Year | 2013 |
| Common Name | Canna |
| Type | Flowers |
| Breeder | Takii & Co. Ltd. |
Close Market Comparison: 'Tropical Red,' 'Tropical Rose,' 'Tropical Bronze Scarlet'
| Plant Needs | |
| Duration Type | Annual |
| Hardiness Zone/Hardy to Zone | Zone 8 |
| Light Needs | Full sun |
| Water Needs | Normal |
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Plant Characteristics |
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| Foliage Color | Green |
| Plant Habit | Upright |
| Plant Height | Tall: Over 24" |
| Garden Spacing | 18 to 24 inches |
| Bloom Time | Summer |
| Bloom Color | Scarlet |
| Bloom Color Pattern | Solid |
| Bloom Size | 4.5 inches |
| Fragrance | None |
| Weather Tolerance | Heat, Rain |
| Pollinator Friendly | Bees |
| Home Gardener Use | |
| Container | YES |
| Medium Height Divider | YES |
| Tall Background | YES |
| Water Garden | YES |
How to Grow
Seeds should be sown indoors in mid- to late February in a growing medium. Lightly cover the seeds and water. Maintain a temperature of 68 to 77°F. When seedlings are large enough to handle, transplant them into individual pots. Plant outdoors after the danger of frost is past.
Easy to grow. Plant in full sun for the most showy blooms. Will tolerate and bloom in partial shade in hot climates. Tolerant of heavy soils but thrives in all conditions but drought. Generous watering will promote heavier flowering and keep the foliage clean and lush.