Caring for Echinacea flowers

Question

I planted Orange Echinacea flowers 2 months ago.  They get 6+ hours of sun daily, the soil drains well but maybe does not contain enough nutrients.  

The flowers are fading in color and the plant seems stiff, maybe brittle.  I have only gotten 1 new bloom.  Each plant had 5-6 blooms when I planted them.  Those blooms are starting to die.  Is there something I did incorrectly or that I should do now? When the blooms die, should I deadhead everything, including the cone?  

I live in Norman, Oklahoma.

Thank You.

Answer 1

I would just cut off the fading flowers to encourage new buds.  Save the dried buds for some new flowers next year.