Coneflower Echinacea purpurea 'Mellow Yellows'

'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.