Echinacea paradoxa
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- ek-in-AY-shee-ah par-uh-DOKS-uh
- Description
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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:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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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.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Perennial
- Wildflower
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
