Echinacea purpurea 'Mellow Yellows'
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- eh-ki-NAY-see-ah pur-PUR-ee-ah
- Description
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'Melllow Yellows' is an herbaceous perennial cultivar coneflower in the Asteraceae (daisy) family of which the parent plant is native to central and eastern USA.
Wondering why there is an 's' at the end of Yellow? 'Mellow Yellows' is a variety of Echinacea purpurea that produces flowers that vary their color as they mature. Opening as a deep mango, the shades progress and mellow through shades of yellow from dark yellow to a canary yellow to a creamy pale yellow. A 'Mellow Yellows' garden has them all. Growing to a height of up to 2.5 feet, the flowers bloom from early summer through mid-fall.
This plant prefers well-drained moist loams but is adaptable to various soil types. It is drought tolerant once established and can grow in full sun to partial shade. It is easily propagated by seed and will reseed itself in the garden. Removing spent flowers will encourage reblooming.
This is a popular and long-blooming plant for use in the native garden, meadows, pollinator gardens and naturalized areas. Several pollinators are attracted to the flower, especially butterflies. Leave some flower heads on to produce winter seeds for the birds.
Insects, Diseases, or Other Plant Problems: Japanese beetle and leaf spot are occasional problems. It is susceptible to aster yellows disease.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Echinacea
- Species:
- purpurea
- Family:
- Asteraceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- United States
- Wildlife Value:
- Butterflies, birds and bees are attracted to the flowers.
- Play Value:
- Attractive Flowers
- Attracts Pollinators
- Colorful
- Defines Paths
- Easy to Grow
- Textural
- Wildlife Food Source
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- Deer and rabbit resistant
- Dimensions:
- Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 6 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Perennial
- 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 pH:
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Occasionally Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Cream/Tan
- Gold/Yellow
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Head
- Solitary
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Good Cut
- Long Bloom Season
- Long-lasting
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Star
- Flower Petals:
- 7 - 20 petals/rays
- more than 20 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- From the palest cream to canary yellow to dark yellow, this coneflower can vary in color.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Leaf Margin:
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- The medium green leaves are plentiful.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Form:
- Straight
- Stem Description:
- Long, sturdy stems.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Meadow
- Naturalized Area
- Patio
- Pool/Hardscape
- Recreational Play Area
- Slope/Bank
- Walkways
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Children's Garden
- Cottage Garden
- Cutting Garden
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Rain Garden
- Winter Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Mass Planting
- Small groups
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Drought
- Dry Soil
- Heat
- Rabbits
