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Echinacea paradoxa

Phonetic Spelling
eh-ki-NAY-see-ah par-uh-DOKS-uh
Description

Yellow Coneflower is a native wildflower in the Aster family and is native to the central US from Missouri south to Texas. It is listed as threatened in Arkansas. This plant will grow up to 3 feet tall and produce several showy blooms with yellow ray flowers and a center of darker disc flowers up to 6 inches across. It blooms in early summer and has a deep tap root that helps it survive drought conditions. The plant spreads by seeds and forms clumps that can be divided when large enough.

 "Echinacea"  is derived from the Greek word echinos which means sea-urchin or hedgehog, referring to the pointy cone found in the center of flowers in this genus.

This plant can be used in the pollinator garden and looks best planted in at least groups of 3. They can be floppy and may need staked or plant with sturdier plants to help support them. The yellow will brighten up an area and looks great with pink, red or purple flowers such as bee balm or native grasses as little bluestem. It can also be used in meadows, prairies or naturalized areas. 

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious problems. Japanese beetle and leaf spot are occasional problems.

 

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#full sun tolerant#drought tolerant#yellow flowers#mass planting#gold flowers#summer flowers#deer resistant#daisy-like#pollinator plant#naturalized area#larval host plant#border back#butterfly friendly#wavy-lined emerald butterfly#pollinator garden#groups#wildlife friendly#meadow#hs303
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#full sun tolerant#drought tolerant#yellow flowers#mass planting#gold flowers#summer flowers#deer resistant#daisy-like#pollinator plant#naturalized area#larval host plant#border back#butterfly friendly#wavy-lined emerald butterfly#pollinator garden#groups#wildlife friendly#meadow#hs303
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Echinacea
    Species:
    paradoxa
    Family:
    Asteracea
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Central USA
    Distribution:
    Arkansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas
    Wildlife Value:
    This plant supports Wavy-lined Emerald (Synchlora aerata) larvae. Attracts bees, butterflies and finches will eat the seeds
    Play Value:
    Attractive Flowers
    Attracts Pollinators
    Colorful
    Easy to Grow
    Wildlife Food Source
    Wildlife Larval Host
    Dimensions:
    Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Perennial
    Wildflower
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Occasionally Dry
    Available Space To Plant:
    12 inches-3 feet
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Cream/Tan
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Fruit Type:
    Achene
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    Tan to brown achenes with a narrowly oblong-angular shape and apices may have 4 tiny teeth. They are formed by the center disc flowers in summer to fall.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Gold/Yellow
    Orange
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Head
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Good Cut
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Radial
    Flower Size:
    3-6 inches
    Flower Description:
    Early summer blooms have yellow ray flowers surrounding the brownish center disc flowers and are up to 6 inches across.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Lanceolate
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    4-8 in. smooth, lance-shaped, dark green leaves with linear veining. They become smaller as they ascend the stem.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Cross Section:
    Round
    Stem Surface:
    Hairy (pubescent)
    Stem Description:
    Stems are light green glabrous to sparsely covered with appressed-ascending hairs.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Meadow
    Naturalized Area
    Pool/Hardscape
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Drought Tolerant Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Mass Planting
    Small groups
    Attracts:
    Butterflies
    Pollinators
    Songbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Drought