{"product_id":"sweet-sandia-coneflower","title":"Sweet Sandia Coneflower","description":"\u003ch1\u003eBig, Fragrant Watermelon-Pink Blooms for the Pollinator Border\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSweet Sandia Coneflower (\u003cem\u003eEchinacea\u003c\/em\u003e 'Sweet Sandia') delivers oversized, richly fragrant watermelon-pink daisies on strong stems all summer into fall. Bred from the tough prairie coneflower, it's a magnet for bees and butterflies, while goldfinches feast on the seed heads come autumn. Sturdy, drought-tolerant, and deer-resistant, it's a standout for sunny borders and pollinator gardens in Edina, Woodbury, and Maple Grove.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSweet Sandia Coneflower 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 'Sweet Sandia'\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMature Size\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e24–32 in. tall, 18–24 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\u003eMidsummer 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\u003eFragrant watermelon-pink\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\u003ePollinator and cut-flower gardens:\u003c\/strong\u003e Bees and butterflies work the fragrant blooms all summer; the long, strong stems are excellent for bouquets. Space 18–24 inches apart.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLow-water sunny borders:\u003c\/strong\u003e Thrives in hot, well-drained spots and looks great with grasses. Leave the seed heads standing for goldfinches and winter interest. Pair with yarrow, catmint, and little bluestem.\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. Coneflowers need good drainage — avoid soggy winter soil to maximize hardiness.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHow to Plant Sweet Sandia Coneflower\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDig a hole twice the pot's width at the same depth. Amend heavy clay with compost for drainage. Set the crown level, backfill, water in, and mulch lightly, keeping mulch off the crown. Space 18–24 inches apart.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWatering Sweet Sandia 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. Avoid overwatering.\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. Wet winter soil is the main risk; leave stems up over winter for added crown protection.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQ: Is it really fragrant?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes — the 'Sweet' series is bred for noticeably fragrant flowers, unusual among coneflowers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQ: Is it deer-resistant?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eGenerally yes — deer usually avoid coneflowers, though they may sample tender new growth; established plants are rarely touched.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQ: Should I deadhead?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eDeadhead for more blooms, or leave late seed heads for goldfinches and winter structure.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eYou May Also Like\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKismet Raspberry Coneflower (Echinacea):\u003c\/strong\u003e A compact, richly colored pollinator partner.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eYarrow (Achillea):\u003c\/strong\u003e Flat-topped blooms for a sunny, drought-tough border.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLittle Bluestem (Schizachyrium):\u003c\/strong\u003e A native grass that complements coneflowers beautifully.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Three Timbers Minnesota","offers":[{"title":"#1 Gallon","offer_id":54315484086577,"sku":null,"price":16.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0986\/0694\/0465\/files\/sweet-sandia-coneflower.jpg?v=1779727888","url":"https:\/\/threetimbersmn.com\/products\/sweet-sandia-coneflower","provider":"Three Timbers Minnesota","version":"1.0","type":"link"}