Coneflowers (Echinacea) are everywhere these days--in catalogs, online and in nurseries.  And they aren't just purple any more.  Breeding advances have brought us coneflowers in an array of colors and sizes.  Some varieties are even scented, which adds another dimension to the summer show.

But sometimes having too many coneflowers can be overwhelming.  To provide variety I mix up the coneflower clumps with groupings of Shasta daisies or daylilies.  Pale yellow daylilies, like the reblooming 'Happy Returns' (above), work well with dark coneflowers like the big purple 'Magnus' (above).  Shastas complement the newer yellow or pale orange coneflowers nicely.  All of these daisy family plants make it easy for the gardener, as they like the same sunny conditions.  Make sure the soil is well drained.

You don't need a lot of species to create a vibrant summer garden--just a little imagination.