Signs point to the Purple Coneflower being named Lexington’s official flower

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WTVQ) – All signs point to the Purple Coneflower being named Lexington’s official flower, Mayor Linda Gorton announced on Tuesday.

In on-line voting this summer the Purple Coneflower thrashed the competition, Catmint and Blue Salvias, Gorton said. “Fifty percent of the 1,150 citizens who voted chose Purple Coneflower. It was a landslide.”

The three candidate plants were identified by America in Bloom Lexington, which first sought the advice of master gardeners, garden club members, home gardeners, garden center owners and professional horticulturalists.

“We asked them to identify plants that are sun and drought tolerant; bloom for a relatively long period; and are suitable for commercial and home use,” said Ann Garrity, President of America in Bloom, Lexington.

The public voted on line between June 19 and July 19. In addition, there was voting at two environmental events.

The Urban County Council is expected to make the choice official in the next few weeks by supporting a resolution filed today by Councilmember Susan Lamb. “Our beautiful city deserves its own flower,” Lamb said. “Thanks to America in Bloom for helping us identify the Purple Coneflower.”

America in Bloom, the City’s Department of Environmental Services and the Division of Parks and Recreation are planning an education and demonstration campaign to encourage homeowners, businesses and schools to include Purple Coneflowers in pots and beds in 2020.

More information on how to include them in your yard can be found here: www. LexingtonKY.gov/PlantByNumbers.