Echinacea Plant
The coneflower aka Echinacea is a North American native plant originating in the vast prairie lands where the deer and the buffalo roamed. Since its domestication, breeders have developed new dazzling varieties.
Prized not only for its unquestionable aesthetic appeal, but the coneflower also has herbal, medicinal, and culinary attributes that make it a worthwhile addition to edible as well as ornamental gardens.
The original plant, E. Purpurea, has an eye-catching crimson center surrounded by downward slanted lilac and light purple petals. Blooms appear in early to mid-summer and new blooms continue right up till the first frost.
The flower blooms actually consist of several small flowers in a central cone, that gives the appearance of a singular large flower.
These cone enclosed flowers are not only appealing to the human eye, they appeal to bees and other pollinators also. Hybrid versions of echinacea come in a spectrum of colors.
They average 2 to 4 feet tall on standard varieties and about 16 inches on dwarf varieties. This will be variable depending on the cultivar and conditions.
The spread is 1 1/2 to 2 feet on standard and a foot or less on dwarfs.
Echinacea Varieties
1. Sombrero Salsa Red Coneflower
A lavishly decorative red and orange popular hybrid. It is a perennial in the proper zones [ 4 – 9 ] Flowers from early through late summer last till the first frost.
- Native North American
- Full Sun
- Mature Height 1.5-2 ft. tall
- Bloom Time Mid to late summer
- Planting Time Spring to mid Summer. Can also be planted in the fall in warmer zones
2. Cheyenne Spirit Coneflowers
Bloom in a spectral blend of warm colors. Golds and yellows, scarlet, orange, reds, and even some traditional coneflower purples. Bred for improved vigor over standard varieties.
- Native North American
- Full Sun
- Mature Height 24-30 inches tall
- Bloom Time Mid to late summer
- Planting Time Spring to mid Summer. Can also be planted in the fall in warmer zones
3. Tomato Soup Coneflower
A vibrant red coneflower hybrid color reminiscent of tomatoes hence it’s name.
This variety is tad more difficult to propagate than most varieties. They need fertile compost enhanced soil and shelter from strong winds. Flowers fade to a light pink as fall approaches, partial shade will prolong the red coloration.
- Full Sun / Partial Shade
- Zones 4-9
- Mature Height 2 to just shy of 3 feet
- Bloom Time Early summer to mid fall
- Planting Time Spring to mid Summer. Can also be planted in the fall in zones 6 or higher
Related: How to Grow Passion Flowers
4. Purple Coneflower
A designation for any number of coneflower varieties. Basic Purple coneflower, Magnus, ruby star, and so forth. All have similar attributes and will readily cross breed.
5. Double Decker Coneflowers
When grown as a perennial, second-year plants will grow a smaller flower mounted atop the primary flower cone which creates a unique visual treat.
- Full Sun
- Zones 4-9
- Mature Height 2.25 to just shy of 3 feet
- Bloom Time Early summer to mid-fall
- Planting Time Spring to mid Summer.
6. Milkshake Coneflower
It has large, white fluffy pompom like blooms topped by ruffs of milky white petals with a yellow-orange center.
- Full Sun
- Zones 4-9
- Mature Height 2 to 3 feet
- Bloom Time Early summer to mid fall. Sometimes produces a second bloom in Autumn.
- Planting Time Spring to mid Summer.
7. White Swan Coneflower
This flower closely resembles an oversize daisy. Produces large Fragrant snowy White Blooms and orange green center.
- Full Sun
- Zones 3-9
- Mature Height up to 2 feet
- Bloom Time Early summer to mid fall.
- Planting Time Spring to mid Summer.
8. Yellow Coneflower
The yellow coneflower has large, yellowish-green cones topped by ruffs of milky white petals with a yellow-orange center.
- Full Sun
- Zones 4-9
- Mature Height 2 to 3 feet
- Bloom Time Early summer to mid-fall. Sometimes produces a second bloom in Autumn.
- Planting Time Spring to mid Summer.
Larger than most, Yellow coneflower can attain up to 4′ height. It is a composite flowers with 10 to 13 drooping yellow ray florets. The flower head matures to dark chocolate brown. Not very fragrant in comparison to other coneflowers.
- Mature Height up to 4 feet
- Bloom Time Early summer to mid fall.
- Zones 4-9
- Planting Time Spring to mid Summer.
9. Maui Sunshine
A hybrid Coneflower, it has brilliant yellow flower petals surrounding a burnt orange center cone.
- Mature Height 3.5 to 4 feet
- Bloom Time Early summer to mid fall.
- Zones 4-9
- Planting Time Spring to mid Summer.
10. Pink Double Delight Coneflower
A compact coneflower with hot pink blooms with a small orange red center.
- Mature Height 1.5 to 2 feet
- Bloom Time Early summer to mid fall. Blooms best in midsummer if faded blooms are
- dead headed.
- Zones 4-9
- Planting Time Spring to mid Summer.
Related: How to Grow Giant Sunflowers