Echinacea paradoxa

RHS Plant Profile
Bush's purple coneflower
Bush's purple coneflower RHS 1999

Other common names

yellow coneflower

Herbaceous Perennial

Spreading perennial coneflower about 1m tall, with narrow leaves to 20cm long, and daisy-like flowerheads with narrow, drooping golden-yellow rays to 7cm long, surrounding a conical central brown cone, flowering from midsummer to early autumn; native to prairies of south-central USA

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.5-1 metres
Max Height
0.5-1 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
H5

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Asteraceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Bushy, Clump forming
Genus
Echinacea are erect, clump-forming rhizomatous perennials with simple or pinnately lobed leaves and solitary, long-stalked daisies with prominent conical central disks and often drooping ray florets; attractive to butterflies
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
S North America

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in humus-rich well-drained soil in full sun; poor drainage in winter will lead to losses. A dry mulch in winter is advisable in very cold areas. Leave plants to develop into substantial clumps as they resent disturbance

Propagation

Propagate by seed in spring, but may need a cold spell before it will germinate. Root cuttings can be taken in late autumn or early winter. Propagate by division in spring but this can be unreliable as they resent disturbance

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Gravel garden
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Prairie planting
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Patio and container plants
  • Flower borders and beds
  • Cut flowers

Pruning

Cut back flowered stems to encourage a long flowering display

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free