Cara Mia™ Carmine Coneflower

CARA MIA™ ‘Carmine’ is a compact, upright coneflower with dense pine-green foliage and double flowers in vivid fuchsia-cherry tones. Its dark-eyed blooms rise above the foliage and bring a strong color accent to mixed perennial beds. ## Landscape Use Use it near the front of a border, in a mixed bed, or in groups where the saturated flowers can be seen together. The breeder also lists it as a cut flower. ## Growing Conditions Plant in full sun and average, well-drained soil. The breeder lists mature foliage height and spread at about 20 inches each, with flower stems reaching about 28 inches. It is hardy in USDA zones 4–9. ## Seasonal Interest Flowers are listed from June through October, with the heaviest garden display in summer and continued color into fall. Double petals and green foliage make a clear contrast. ## Maintenance Keep the crown in well-drained soil and water while establishing. Remove faded stems to tidy the plant or encourage a fresh flush; allow some seedheads to remain for wildlife, then cut the old stems back in late winter. [Terra Nova Nurseries](https://www.terranovanurseries.com/product/echinacea-cara-mia-carmine/) gives the cultivar’s dimensions, zones, bloom months, color, light, soil, habit, and landscape uses; its [CARA MIA™ series listing](https://www.terranovanurseries.com/plant-series/echinacea-cara-mia-series/) confirms series membership. [Illinois Extension](https://extension.illinois.edu/flowers/purple-coneflower) describes how deadheading can extend coneflower bloom and retained seedheads can feed birds.