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Echinacea paradoxa (yellow coneflower)

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Technical sheet - Echinacea
Species Distribution Map: Click to enlarge
Map Color Key © 2013 BONAP

Echinacea paradoxa

yellow coneflower

A Yellow Purple Coneflower... thus the paradox. Relatively rare in the wild and in cultivation, this coneflower is stunning in summer. Its bright, pure yellow flowers consist of drooping petals surrounding a soft brown cone. Goldfinches devour the seeds. Native to the Ozark Mountains and surrounding areas.

SIZE
Echinacea paradoxa LP50 - 50 per flat Availability
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Height

2-3 Feet

Spread

12-18 Inches

Spacing

12 Inches

Bloom Color

Yellow

USDA Hardiness Zone 5-9

yellow coneflower Interesting Notes

A yellow purple coneflower... thus the paradox. Relatively rare in the wild and in cultivation, this coneflower is stunning in summer. Its bright, pure yellow flowers consist of drooping petals surrounding a soft brown cone, shooting up to 3’ high. The naked single stem is punctuated with a single, strong golden-ray flower, an excellent design choice for colorful, airy movement without the bulk of leafy stems to detract from the statement. Basal leaves are long and narrow and while some patience is required, you’ll be rewarded in a few growing seasons as it reaches it’s full size and splendor. Ozark coneflower blooms through late May to July, thriving in the sunny garden. It is the most scented of all the coneflowers.

Native to the Ozark Mountains and surrounding areas, Echinacea paradoxa can be found in the prairies, glades, and limestone slopes with alkaline, freely draining soils. Ozark coneflower grows best in full sun and well-drained soil and can have winter dieback if the soil has too much clay. It grows a deep taproot, allowing it to survive drought and fire. Over the years, the basal clump will grow but do not divide it as the roots resent disturbance. Instead, allow the plant to self-sow.

Echinacea paradoxa is a delicious food source for Goldfinch and other small songbirds and you’ll see them darting and landing on the flowers when the heads set seed. Pollinators love the flowers while deer don’t like the foliage making this a perfect garden plant. The yellow flower of E. paradoxa makes this plant a favorite parent plant for hybridizers wishing to increase the color choices of Echinacea cultivars on the market.

Echinacea paradoxa Growing and Maintenance Tips

Grow in full sun and well drained soil.

Good Substitutions

purple coneflower Echinacea purpurea 'Mellow Yellows'
purple coneflower Echinacea purpurea 'Ruby Star'
coneflower Echinacea 'Cheyenne Spirit'
coneflower Echinacea purpurea

Key Characteristics & Attributes

Full Sun
Full Sun
Part Sun
Part Sun
Songbird-friendly
Songbird-friendly
Pollinator-friendly
Pollinator-friendly
Deer Resistant
Deer Resistant
Hummingbird-friendly
Hummingbird-friendly
Drought Tolerant
Drought Tolerant
Fragrant
Fragrant
Cut Flower
Cut Flower
Summer
Summer

Additional Information

Soil Moisture Needs
Average
Dry
Green Infrastructure
Green Roof
Meadow/Prairie
Plug Type
Landscape Plug™
Attributes
Native to North America
Clay Tolerance
Edible
Season of Interest (Flowering)
Late Summer
Propagation Type
Open pollinated