Better Versions? Sombrero? Salsa Red Coneflower Plant - Echinacea

Better Versions® Sombrero® Salsa Red Coneflower (Echinacea)

Transform your garden with this stunning red coneflower that lives up to its festive name. The Sombrero® Salsa Red variety features oversized crimson petals surrounding a distinctive chocolate-brown spiky center, creating eye-catching blooms that command attention from spring through late summer. When you buy this coneflower online, you're investing in a hardy, compact performer that delivers abundant flowers the same year you plant it.

Landscaping Uses

This improved coneflower works beautifully in borders, foundation plantings, containers, and mass groupings where its uniform, branching habit creates a polished, intentional look. Its moderate size makes it ideal for smaller landscapes and tight spaces, while its nectar-rich flowers attract butterflies and bees, bringing pollinator activity to any sunny garden bed. Pair it with other Sombrero varieties for a coordinated, professional appearance throughout the growing season.

Specifications

Height: 18–24 inches
Width: 18–24 inches
Growth Rate: Moderate
Sun: Full sun to partial shade (4–8 hours daily)
Water: Moderate; drought tolerant once established
Soil: Well-drained, fertile
USDA Zones: 3–9

Why Homeowners Love It

• Blooms arrive the same season you plant—no lengthy waiting for color
• Exceptionally hardy with superior cold tolerance and heat resilience
• Produces prolific, long-lasting flowers perfect for cutting and arrangements
• Compact, sturdy growth habit stays tidy without sprawling or overgrowing

Planting & Care

Select a sunny location with well-drained soil and dig a planting hole twice as wide as the root ball but equally deep. Water thoroughly after planting and apply a 3-inch mulch layer to suppress weeds. For container growing, choose a pot about twice the size of the shipped container and fill with quality potting soil. Water when the soil feels dry 3 inches down, and provide weekly moisture during the growing season. Once established, this coneflower tolerates dry conditions beautifully while thriving in both extreme heat and cold snaps.