Echinacea 'Sunrise' and 'Sunset' are the first 2 varieties to be released from the Big Sky Series, bred by Richard Saul of Atlanta, GA in the USA.

 
'Sunrise' and 'Sunset'

Apart from the obvious allure of their incredible colours, the big news is that these hybrids contain a high proportion of E. purpurea genes.

In practicality, this means that the plants have the sturdiness of E. purpurea species plants, even though the flower colours are more influenced by the weaker E. paradoxa species.  

'Sunrise' has fragrant citron yellow flowers that measure up to 5" accross. Plants grow to about 30-36" tall.  

Coming in slightly shorter at 24-30" tall, 'Sunset' has incredible vibrant orange flowers with hints of salmon. It's petals are broader and stand out straighter compared to other recently introduced orange coneflowers.  

Both these varieties will be available in nurseries and garden centres in 2006, and are already featured in a number of current mail order catalogues.  

Although they aren't part of the Darwin PlantSpotters range, they're so fabulous and so in keeping with the spirit of our varieties that we wanted to give them an honorary mention.

What's more, if you want to know how you can get your hands on these beauties, there's a good chance that your favourite Darwin PlantSpotters retailer will have them in stock. See our Where To Buy pages.

Future introductions to look out for from the same 'Big Sky Series' include 'Sundown', with intense orange flowers, but taller than 'Sunset', and 'Twilight', which features intense pink-red petals around a red cone. The end of the day has never been so exciting!

Look out for E. 'Twilight' and the golden-flowered E. 'Harvest Moon' which will be available as Darwin PlantSpotters varieties from 2007.