Echinacea ‘Mac ‘n’ Cheese’ (Coneflower)

Echinacea ‘Mac ‘n’ Cheese’ (Coneflower) is a compact perennial boasting a profusion of large, golden-yellow daisies, 4.5 in. across (11 cm), adorned with rounded, amber center cones. Blooming from midsummer until frost, this showy coneflower has a strong upright habit with well branched stems. It is an eye-catching addition to perennial borders, prairies, cottage gardens or patio containers.

• Grows up to 21-24 in. tall (52-60 cm) and 22 in. wide (55 cm).
• Thrives in full sun in average, dry to medium moisture, well drained soils. Tolerant of drought, heat and humidity.
• Perfect choice for beds and borders, prairies and meadows, wildflower gardens or cottage gardens.
• Excellent as cut flowers. If flower heads are not removed in the fall, the blackened cones will be visited by birds that feed on the seeds.
• No serious pest or disease issues. Attractive to butterflies, hummingbirds and other pollinators, but deer resistant.
• Remove spent flowers and cut back the stems to encourage further blooms. Deadheading will help them grow and thrive.
• Propagate by division in spring or fall or by root cuttings from late fall to early winter.

Echinacea, commonly called Coneflower, has been cultivated as a hardy and showy perennial since the 1700s, both in North America and Europe. Truly an American plant, native to the central and eastern part of the country, it was used by the early Native Americans to cure wounds and infections. A great prairie flower, its bright and large blossoms made a successful transition to the backyard. Traditionally purple, with ray flowers that droop downward off the central cone, Coneflowers today enjoy a rich variety of colors and flower shapes with ray florets held horizontal, single or even doubled, giving them the look of Chrysanthemum. Easily grown from seed, they thrive on neglect.