Some impressive new echinaceas (coneflowers) have arrived in nurseries this year, you can see some of them in my article entitled Rays of Light in the August issue of The Garden. Now I can bring you the latest echinacea news - a spectacular new variety for next year.
‘Hot Papaya' will be the next introduction from Dutch master breeder Arie Blom who specialises in double-flowered echinaceas. You can take a look at some of his earlier introductions here. 
This is the very first hybrid double bringing a wonderful fiery shade to double flowered echinaceas which were previously either pink or white. Click on the pictures to see larger versions. The flowers do not fade, are unusually uniform in colour and bloom from June to August on 80cm/32in well branched stems. I can't wait to grow this - it really looks spectacular.
But now the bad news... ‘Hot Papaya' will not be available to gardeners until the autumn of next year. As soon as I know which nurseries will be listing it I'll let you know. In the meantime, just enjoy the pictures - and wonder what else Arie has on the way...