Yellows disease in echinacea

Huntersville, NC

Hello,

I have 3 echinacea purpura plants that seem to be affected by some disease. Right now the leaves are yellowed in a mosaic sort of pattern and the flowers are looking odd, like with the centers intact but very small or no petals. I've been doing some reading and I think it's aster yellows (a virus) or something similar.

My question, for anyone who has experience with this, is: if I yank out all the plants and either let that section of the garden rest or plant a few annuals for the winter/early spring, could I plant new echinacea there next year with the hope that this time they would not get infected with the virus? I had planned that entire garden around the color/form/bloom time of echinaceas and I haven't been able to come up with a suitable substitute. I'm hoping it doesn't live in the soil - I think it doesn't - but I want some confirmation before I invest in more plants!!

Thanks!

Post a Reply to this Thread

Please or sign up to post.
BACK TO TOP