Echinacea paradoxa – 10 Seeds

Echinacea paradoxa, sometimes called yellow coneflower, is the only species in the genus Echinacea to have yellow flowers instead of the usual purple flowers, hence the paradox suggested by the species name. It primarily occurs on glades and prairies in the Ozark regions of Missouri and Arkansas. Features large, daisy-like flowers with drooping yellow to orange-yellow petals and very large, coppery-brown to chocolate-brown central cones. Flowers grow on rigid, glabrous stems typically to 3′ tall. Smooth, lance-shaped, dark green leaves (4-8″ long) with linear veining.

Growing Echinacea paradoxa

Indoor Sowing: Spring – Cold Stratification and then plant the seeds.

Direct Sowing: Autumn and Winter

• Echinacea Seeds need a cold period or cold stratification, for germination to take place.
• The easiest method is to sow them outdoors in autumn, either in the ground or winter sowing them in pots outdoors. The seeds will then germinate the following Spring.
• If you are going to start seed indoors in Spring, then you must first cold stratify the seeds for 8 to 10 weeks in the refrigerator.
• After the cold stratification period, plant the seeds.
• The plant is fairly drought tolerant once established, but you will need to water your plants throughout the summer if you receive less than an inch of rain each week.
• As native prairie plants, they thrive in hot, dry climates and do not do as well in very humid climates or in rainy areas where the soil stays wet.
• Flower production takes place in the second year of growth..
• Once your plant is at least three years old, you can begin harvesting some of the roots for medicinal purposes.