Echinacea paradoxa - Ozark Coneflower

Sizes available: #1 (Trade gallon), coming in 2026

Basics: zones 3-9, 2-3' x 1-1.5', full sun to high, light shade, reflexed yellow rays encircle a pronounced dark brown cone, blooms in summer, likes a dry to medium moisture, well-drained site, maybe on the lime-y side. 

Common names: Ozark Coneflower

Family: Asteraceae

Origin/Distribution: The species has a very narrow native range from south-central Missouri to north-central Arkansas. 

Habitat: Found in open glades and prairies. 

More: This is a rare coneflower that grows well outside its native range. Echinaceas cross-pollinate readily and E. paradoxa (paradox because, as the only yellow coneflower, it is a paradox), is often used in breeding programs to create the numerous hybrid coneflowers that have a certain quirky, if usually short-lived, charm. It will take a little while to establish its taproot and during that time flowering will be on the sparser side, but once established it will be visited by numerous pollinators and is a favored seed for goldfinches. This coneflower looks lovely popping up among catmints, grasses, and Monarda punctata and the dark cones will persist into the winter garden. Deer tolerant. Both the seed head and flower are good for the vase.

Source: plugs from Prairie Nursery, grown on at Honey Petal Plants

Image credits: Image courtesy of Kristine Paulus via Creative Commons through the North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox.