{"product_id":"dark-shadows-wicked-coneflower","title":"Dark Shadows Wicked Coneflower","description":"\u003ch1\u003eDeep Red Daisies and Dark Stems for Dramatic Borders\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDark Shadows Wicked Coneflower (\u003cem\u003eEchinacea\u003c\/em\u003e 'Dark Shadows Wicked') brings real drama — deep, velvety red daisies with rich dark-toned stems and buds, on a sturdy, compact, well-branched plant. The moody coloring is striking against silver and chartreuse foliage. Blooming from early summer into fall, it draws bees and butterflies and feeds goldfinches in autumn. Drought-tough and deer-resistant, it's a bold, dramatic choice for sunny borders in Edina, Eagan, and Maple Grove.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eDark Shadows Wicked Plant Details\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"mce-item-table\"\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eAttribute\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDetail\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBotanical Name\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEchinacea 'Dark Shadows Wicked'\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMature Size\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e20–24 in. tall, 18–22 in. wide\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHardiness Zone\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e4–9 (Twin Cities is zone 4b–5a — fully hardy)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLight\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFull sun (6+ hours)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBloom Time\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEarly summer into fall\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFlower Color\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDeep velvety red on dark stems\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWell-drained; tolerates clay and lean soil if not soggy\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWinter Hardiness\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReliable to about -25°F once established\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDeer Resistance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eUsually avoided by deer; may nibble young plants\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eLandscape Uses in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDramatic pollinator borders:\u003c\/strong\u003e The dark stems and deep-red blooms create striking contrast with light foliage and flowers. Space 18–22 inches apart.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCut-flower and low-water beds:\u003c\/strong\u003e Moody, long-lasting blooms for bouquets; tough in hot, dry spots. Leave seed heads for goldfinches. Pair with silver artemisia, catmint, and grasses.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBest Time to Plant in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlant in spring (late April–May) or early fall. Provide good drainage; avoid soggy winter soil.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHow to Plant Dark Shadows Wicked Coneflower\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDig a hole twice the pot's width at the same depth, amending heavy clay with compost. Set the crown level, backfill, water in, and mulch lightly, keeping mulch off the crown. Space 18–22 inches apart.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWatering Dark Shadows Wicked Coneflower\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFirst year:\u003c\/strong\u003e Water every 2–3 days at first, then weekly. Stop 2–3 weeks before the ground freezes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAfter year one:\u003c\/strong\u003e Drought-tolerant — water only during extended dry spells.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQ: What makes it dramatic?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eDeep velvety-red flowers paired with dark stems and buds give it a moody, high-contrast look that stands out in the border.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQ: Will it survive a Minnesota winter?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes — hardy to zone 4 with good drainage; leave stems up for winter crown protection.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQ: Is it deer-resistant?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eGenerally yes — deer usually avoid coneflowers, though young growth may be sampled.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQ: Does it attract pollinators?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eVery much — bees and butterflies love the blooms, and goldfinches eat the fall seeds.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eYou May Also Like\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKismet Red Coneflower (Echinacea):\u003c\/strong\u003e A bright red for the compact border.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSilver Artemisia:\u003c\/strong\u003e Silvery foliage that sets off the dark blooms.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLittle Bluestem (Schizachyrium):\u003c\/strong\u003e A native grass for a prairie-style border.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Three Timbers Minnesota","offers":[{"title":"#1 Gallon","offer_id":54315474256177,"sku":null,"price":16.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0986\/0694\/0465\/files\/dark-shadows-wicked-coneflower.jpg?v=1779747456","url":"https:\/\/threetimbersmn.com\/products\/dark-shadows-wicked-coneflower","provider":"Three Timbers Minnesota","version":"1.0","type":"link"}