I have many coneflowers in a variety of colors. Why are they all changing to purple?

Question

I have purple, white, tomato soup, mango, cheyenne and others. Now many of them are all turning purple. Even my double papyaya is now a single purple cone flower. Can you help? Will they turn back to their colors next year? [e-mail]

Answer 1

Your hybrids have most likely just not survived and the native Purple Coneflowers are hardy and self seed; continue spreading through the garden.

Most hybrids are sterile and will not self seed.

Have had the same issue in my own garden...all the new colored hybrids have died off as well. I've become just content with the purple shades and the birds and bees are happy as well.