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Native alternative(s) for Echinacea purpurea 'Mellow Yellows':
Coreopsis lanceolata flowers and leaves
Echinacea purpurea Flowers (Wake County, NC)
Helianthus schweinitzii Close up of flower
Rudbeckia triloba Rudbeckia triloba
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Berlandiera lyrata Berlandiera lyrata
Betonica officinalis 2 lipped purple red flowers
Lantana camara 'Ham and Eggs'
Echinacea purpurea 'Mellow Yellows' has some common insect problems:
Japanese Beetle

Echinacea purpurea 'Mellow Yellows'

Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
ek-in-AY-shee-ah pur-PUR-ee-ah
Description

'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.

More information on Echinacea purpurea.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#showy flowers#heat tolerant#drought tolerant#yellow flowers#low maintenance#winter interest#rabbit resistant#mass planting#deer resistant#frost tolerant#long bloom time#poolside planting#self-seeding#cutting garden#pollinator plant#naturalized area#border front#walkway planting#small group plantings#bird friendly#butterfly friendly#bee friendly#container plant#patio
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#showy flowers#heat tolerant#drought tolerant#yellow flowers#low maintenance#winter interest#rabbit resistant#mass planting#deer resistant#frost tolerant#long bloom time#poolside planting#self-seeding#cutting garden#pollinator plant#naturalized area#border front#walkway planting#small group plantings#bird friendly#butterfly friendly#bee friendly#container plant#patio
  • 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
    Dimensions:
    Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 6 in.
    Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Perennial
    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 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
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Form:
    Straight
    Stem Description:
    Long, sturdy stems.
  • 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
    Winter Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Mass Planting
    Small groups
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Butterflies
    Songbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Drought
    Dry Soil
    Heat
    Rabbits