Common Name: coneflower
Type: Herbaceous perennial
Family: Asteraceae
Zone: 4 to 9
Height: 1.50 to 2.00 feet
Spread: 1.50 to 2.00 feet
Bloom Time: June to August
Bloom Description: Yellow
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Water: Dry to medium
Maintenance: Low
Flower: Showy, Good Cut, Good Dried
Attracts: Birds, Butterflies
Tolerate: Deer, Drought, Clay Soil, Dry Soil, Shallow-Rocky Soil
Culture
Easily grown in average, dry to medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. Best in full sun. This is an adaptable plant that is tolerant of drought, heat, humidity and poor soil. Divide clumps when they become overcrowded (about every 4 years). Plants rebloom well without deadheading, however prompt removal of spent flowers encourages continued bloom and improves general appearance.
Noteworthy Characteristics
Echinacea is a genus of seven species all endemic to eastern and central North America. Coneflowers bloom from June to August with some sporadic later bloom. Attractive to butterflies and other insect pollinators. Good fresh cut or dried flower. The dead flower stems will remain erect well into the winter, and if flower heads are not removed, the blackened cones may be visited by goldfinches or other birds that feed on the seeds.
Genus name of Echinacea comes from the Greek word echinos meaning hedgehog or sea-urchin in reference to the spiny center cone found on most flowers in the genus.
‘Mac 'n' Cheese’ is a bright yellow coneflower. It originated as a fourth generation seedling from a breeding program that, for the initial cross, used Echinacea paradoxa (pollen parent) and Echinacea purpurea ‘Ruby Giant’ (seed parent). It is a compact, upright coneflower that typically grows in a clump to 20-26" tall and to 24" wide on sturdy, well-branched stems that do not need staking. Large flowers (to 4 1/2" diameter) feature bright yellow rays (perpendicular to the stem) with rounded, amber center cones. Flowers bloom from latespring to late summer, sometimes with additional sporadic bloom until frost. Strigose, yellow-green leaves (to 7” long) are lanceolate to broadly lanceolate. U.S. Plant Patent PP19,464 was issued November 18, 2008.
Problems
Susceptible to aster yellows disease and eriophyid mites. Deer tend to avoid this plant.
Uses
Border fronts, rock gardens or part shade areas of open woodland gardens. Best in groups or massed. Attractive specimen/accent.