Why Are My Purple Coneflowers Not Purple?
Purple coneflowers (Echinacea purpurea) are a favorite in many Bloomington gardens. They’re hardy, beautiful, and often thrive even in tough conditions. But if your coneflowers are looking a little “off,” flowers turning green, stunted blooms, or misshapen petals, you might be dealing with one of two common problems: eriophyid mites or aster yellows.
At Wells Lawn Care & Landscaping, we love helping our Bloomington neighbors keep their landscapes healthy and vibrant. Here’s what you should know about these two issues and how to protect your coneflowers:
1. Eriophyid Mites
Tiny Pests, Big Impact Unlike typical mites with a round body and eight legs, eriophyid mites are tiny, worm-like creatures with only two pairs of legs. You can’t see them without high magnification, but their damage is easy to spot. Signs of eriophyid mites on coneflowers: - Flowers look small, spiky, or deformed - Petals may turn green instead of their usual purple and yellow/orange centers - Reduced seed production, which means less natural reseeding in your garden These mites feed on the flower parts, distorting growth and affecting bloom quality.
2. Aster Yellows
When Flowers Turn Green Aster yellows is caused by a microscopic plant-infecting bacterium called a phytoplasma, spread by an insect called the aster leafhopper. Common symptoms of aster yellows: - Whole plant stunting - Phyllody: leaves or stems growing where flowers should be - Virescence: petals turning green instead of their normal color - Misshapen blooms that can resemble mite damage
Echinacea infected with aster yellows: example of phyllody, where vegetative tissue develops within floral tissue. Photo Credit: PPDL
Unfortunately, once a plant has aster yellows, it cannot be cured. Removing infected plants is the best way to protect the rest of your garden. Because this disease can affect over 300 plant species, including vegetables like carrots, celery, and garlic, quick action is important.
Preventing and Managing These Problems in Bloomington Gardens:
- Remove infected plants promptly to prevent further spread
- Control weeds that could host pests or the disease
- Monitor regularly for early signs of flower deformities or discoloration
- Work with a professional lawn and landscape team for accurate identification and treatment options
Contact Wells to get help with your Garden
At Wells Lawn Care, we can help you identify what’s affecting your plants and recommend the right steps to keep your Bloomington garden looking its best.
Have plants that aren’t looking right?
Don’t wait for pests or diseases to take over your flowerbeds. Our team can assess, diagnose, and provide a plan to protect your blooms.
Call Wells Lawn Care & Landscaping today at (812) 272-9336 or visit our contact page to schedule a garden health check.