Mellow Yellows Coneflower

Coneflower is a stalwart of the meadow and native garden. Mellow Yellows is a variety that blooms in tones of mango to clear yellow with reflexed petals that show off a green cone of stigmas. The variation in color throughout the season makes for a continually changing look to the meadow garden. The flowers make long lasting cut flowers or dried arrangements. Mellow Yellows will look great planted with Russian Sage, Liatris, Agastache and CatMint. Beneficial insect pollinators, butterflies and native bees will flock to Coneflower while it is in bloom. Leave the seedheads to develop late in the summer and birds can snack on the nutritious seeds all winter. The foliage and flower stems provide cover for birds and small animals throughout the summer and fall. Mellow Yellows Coneflower is very heat and humidity tolerant and does not suffer from fungal leaf spot or diseases like the native Echinacea varieties. Coneflowers are resistant to deer browsing and are not bothered by rabbits. Mellow Yellows Coneflower Care Mellow Yellows Coneflower will bloom best in a full sun position. Shade, either early in the morning or late in the afternoon is fine. Well drained, moist and fertile soil will produce the biggest blooms. Drier soils will benefit from annual mulching with organic compost or leaves. Regular watering is needed for 1-2 years to help Coneflower establish well. When mature, Mellow Yellows will be much more drought tolerant and low maintenance. Regular deadheading of Mellow Yellows Coneflower will keep it blooming all summer long. Leave the last flush of blooms to set seed for the birds over the winter. Annual maintenance only involves a quick clean up of dead leaves and stems in the early spring as the new growth emerges. Feeding a well balanced, slow release fertilizer is also done in the early spring. Dividing is done in the fall as the foliage is still above the ground. Water in any new divisions well and apply a light mulch to protect them through the winter. Mellow Yellows Coneflower Spacing Coneflowers are generally much taller than they are wide and can tolerate much closer spacing when planted in large groups. Mellow Yellows has a mature height of 24-30 inches and a spread of 12-24 inches. Space plants at 12 inches on center to obtain the best ground coverage.