17 of the Best Coneflower Varieties

When you think of echinacea, chances are that the typical purple coneflower comes to mind, attractive to pollinators and herbalists alike, as well as wildflower aficionados everywhere.

But, wait. What’s that? You’re looking for more variety? Blossoms bursting forth in all colors of the rainbow?

Well, if you’re a coneflower fan, you’ve come to the right place.

Though pinkish-purple may be the standard, echinacea flowers are actually available in a striking variety of hues, from white, yellow, and pale peach to vibrant orange, pink, and red. You can even find a green variety, if that’s your thing.

A vertical picture of delicate pink coneflowers, Echinacea purpurea, growing in the garden pictured in light evening sunshine. To the center and bottom of the frame is green and white text.

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Whether you love a bright splash of bold and highly saturated color, or muted pastels are more to your taste, you’ll find just what you’re looking for right here.

To make the search for the perfect cultivars to plant in your garden a little easier, I’ve gathered 17 of my favorite varieties of Echinacea purpurea, in just about every hue available.

These also run the gamut in terms of height at maturity, bloom type (with both single and double-blossomed varieties), and selections suited to container growing as well as planting in the ground.

Get out your gardening journal and start dreaming. Let’s take a look at some of the best types of echinacea to plant in the garden.

1. Bravado

‘Bravado’ features single, four to five-inch blooms reminiscent of daisies, in a rosy shade of pink with orange cone-shaped centers.

Are they bold and intimidating, as their name would suggest? I’m not convinced. Fortunately, the pollinators aren’t scared off either – beneficial insects who visit your garden will love these!

A close up of a swath of 'Bravado' coneflowers growing in the garden. To the bottom right of the frame is a black circular logo and text.

‘Bravado’

Suited to USDA Hardiness Zones 3-8, plants are shrub-like and bushy, with a mature height of 36-48 inches and a spread of 18-24 inches.

Seeds are available from True Leaf Market.

2. Butterfly Kisses

Are you a fan of butterfly kisses, those soft caresses of a lover’s eyelashes on your cheek?

I know – I am, too.

The closeness that’s required to achieve these is what makes them so intimate – even the long-lashed among us (myself included) might pause for just a second before swooping in to give our sweetie one of these special, delicate smooches.

When human-to-human butterfly kisses aren’t available, these flowers might be the next best thing. And they’re sure to attract a bevy of real butterflies to the garden.

From the CONE-FECTIONS™ series, this cultivar has a compact habit, with a mature height of 16-18 inches and a spread of 14-16 inches. If you’re a small space gardener, these will fit nicely, and they’re suited to growing in containers.

A close up of 'Butterfly Kisses' coneflowers growing in the summer garden.

‘Butterfly Kisses’

With bright pink double centers of short petals surrounded by lighter pink rays, these fragrant flowers are about three inches in diameter.

Bred by Arie Blom, a renowned hybridizer in the Netherlands, this cultivar is suited to Zones 4-8. Expect blooms in summer through fall.

Plants are available from Burpee.

3. Double Delight

There’s nothing wrong with red, but I wish those double-decker buses that I’ve ridden on many visits to London (almost always rushing to the top to grab a seat with a view) had a paint job like these babies.

Rose-colored blooms will fill your garden through the summer and into early autumn if you choose the ‘Doubledecker’ cultivar.

But that’s not all – unlike the other blooms featured here, this type has an exceptionally unique two-tiered appearance, with reflexed and deeply curved petals that point downwards at the bottom of each blossom, dark brown cones in the center, and shorter petals on top that reach towards the sky.

A close up of the delicate, unusual flowers of 'Doubledecker' coneflowers, pictured in bright sunshine on a soft focus background.

This variety is best suited to Zones 3-9, and you can expect mature heights of 24-36 inches with a spread of 24-30 inches.

Don’t be alarmed if your plants only produce single blooms in the first year – this isn’t unusual. With a little patience, you should be rewarded with double-decker flowers in the second year and beyond.

Find this cultivar at your local gardening center.

4. Double Scoop

What’s your favorite ice cream flavor? Or maybe you’re more in the mood for sherbet, or sorbet? Water ice, perhaps?

Whether you’re craving a double scoop of bubble gum, raspberry, orangeberry, or mandarin, this cultivar does not disappoint.

Available in bright hues of pink, deep rose, and orange, you can take your pick, or mix and match for an explosion of color with coneflowers from the Double Scoop™ series.

A close up of bright pink 'Double Scoop Bubblegum' coneflowers growing in the garden, pictured in bright sunshine.

Double Scoop™ ‘Bubble Gum’

Best grown in Zones 4-9, expect a mature height of 20-26 inches and a spread of 16-22 inches, with some slight variation depending on the color selected.

Flowers have an extended bloom period from late spring through early fall, and they shouldn’t require staking.

A close up of the bright reddish orange flowers of Echinacea purpurea 'Double Scoop Orangeberry' growing in the garden, pictured in bright sunshine.

Double Scoop™ ‘Orangeberry’

And unlike your favorite frozen treats, these flowers are heat tolerant.

The double-blossomed beauties feature central cushions of short petals surrounded by flared rays.

‘Bubble Gum’ is deep pink in the center with pastel pink surrounding rays, ‘Raspberry’ features an intense rose hue, ‘Orangeberry’ is bright orange-red, and ‘Mandarin’ features deep orange blooms.

Plants are available from Burpee in pink, raspberry, orange-red, or deep orange.

5. Green Jewel

It’s not jade or peridot, but a different kind of jewel, of the floral variety. This green beauty has a pale, pastel hue that’s unusual among flowers.

Light green single petals surround dark green centers, and the fragrant blooms make a striking addition to cut flower arrangements.

Best suited to Zones 3-9, ‘Green Jewel’ blooms in summer through first frost, with a mature height of 24-36 inches and a spread of 12-24 inches.

Close up of green jewel coneflowers in bloom.

‘Green Jewel’

And if you’re a green flower lover searching for even more options to add to your garden, check out this article for more of our favorite types.

Plant ready for planting are available in quart-sized containers from Nature Hills Nursery.

6. Hot Papaya

Papaya lovers will rejoice when they see the bright color of these blooms. From the CONE-FECTIONS™ series bred by Arie Blom, this hot orange option is perfect for summer.

In fact, it was the first double orange option available on the market.

A close up of a bright red flower with double petals of Echinacea purpurea 'Hot Papaya' growing in the garden, on a soft focus background.

‘Hot Papaya’

Best grown in Zones 4-9, plants reach a mature height of 30-36 inches with a spread of 24-30 inches.

Plants are available from Burpee.

7. Magnus

With pinky-purple curved petals and orange centers, this type has the classic shuttlecock shape (badminton, anyone?), and jumbo dimensions. ‘Magnus’ is an award-winning cultivar with extra-large six-inch blooms.

I’m reminded of a nature documentary that I watched recently, in which the largest and most aggressive grizzly bear was named Magnus – I imagine him collecting a bouquet of these for his mate, before asking them to join him in a meal of fresh-caught salmon.

A close up of the delicate pink flowers of Echinacea purpurea 'Magnus' pictured on a green soft focus background. To the bottom right of the frame is a white circular logo and text.

‘Magnus’

With a mature height of 36 inches and a spread of 15-18 inches, this type makes a stunning addition to the backs of borders or a beautiful focal point in arrangements. ‘Magnus’ grows best in Zones 3-10.

Seeds are available from True Leaf Market.

8. Marmalade

Hey, Joe – you wanna give it a go?

Whether you’re in the mood for toast slathered with sweet and tangy citrus preserves, fondly remembering your favorite orange-hued cat, or dreaming about Lady Marmalade in sweet reverie of a significantly racier variety, ‘Marmalade’ will not disappoint, and serves as a fitting tribute.

She can be all things, to all gardeners.

A close up of a swath of Echinacea purpurea 'Marmalade' flowers growing in the garden, with foliage in soft focus in the background.

‘Marmalade’

All dressed up with semi-double, large and bright red-orange flowers on top with yellow-orange petals beneath and brown tufted centers, this cultivar is sure to be a standout in your garden.

Best suited to growing in Zones 5-9, expect a height of 24-30 inches with an equal spread.

Plants are available from Burpee.

9. Marry Me

If you dream of a flowerbed filled with wedding-dress white blooms that are attractive to pollinators, pick ‘Marry Me.’

Excellent for enjoying outdoors or cutting and adding to arrangements, this type has a mature height of 18-24 inches with a 12 to 18-inch spread.

A close up of white flowers with yellow centers of Echinacea purpurea 'Marry Me' growing in the garden on a soft focus background.

‘Marry Me’

Flowers reach about 3 1/2 inches in diameter, with yellow central cones. Can you imagine a country-style wedding bouquet filled with these? Perfection!

‘Marry Me’ grows best in gardens in Zones 3-8.

Seeds in packets of 50 or four-packs of live plants ready for planting are available from Burpee.

10. Pink Double Delight

Pretty in pink? Absolutely!

With a branching habit and sturdy stems, this compact cultivar reaches a height of 24-28 inches, with a spread of 18-24 inches.

A close up of the double petalled Echinacea purpurea 'Pink Double Delight' in bright pink, pictured on a soft focus background.

‘Pink Double Delight’

Suited to Zones 5-9, these hot pink double flowers feature large pompom tops with pale pink and orange centers. Gorgeous!

Plants are available from Burpee.

11. Pink Shimmer

Another pink cultivar, and this one is nothing short of luminous. In fact, that’s how ‘Pink Shimmer’ is often described, and she isn’t shy about it.

This stunning variety is hot pink verging on rose, with large three to five-inch single blooms that have a full, rounded shape and yellow-orange centers.

A close up of the vibrant pink Echinacea purpurea 'Pink Shimmer,' pictured on a soft focus background.

The tall plants reach a height of 36 inches with a spread of 16 inches, so they’re excellent for the backs of borders. Plant in Zones 5-9 for best results.

Find this variety at your local nursery.

12. Playful Meadow Mama

Ready for a romp in the meadow? No, I’m not talking about World Naked Gardening Day (for once). Take a look at this beauty:

A close up of the pink flower with delicate white tips of 'Playful Meadow Mama' pictured on a soft focus background.

‘Playful Meadow Mama’

Probably one of the most unique cultivars I have ever seen, ‘Playful Meadow Mama’ boasts pink petals that are tapered to a point at the ends and tipped in white. The multi-layered petals surround reddish centers.

These will grow nicely in Zones 5-9, with a mature height of 20-24 inches and a spread of 18-24 inches. Expect blooms throughout the summer.

Plants in four-inch pots are available from Burpee.

13. Primadonna Deep Rose

This lovely cultivar has large, full, double-petaled flowers and central cones tipped with a touch of gold.

With a clumping habit, height of 30-36 inches, and spread of 18-24 inches, ‘Primadonna Deep Rose’ has sturdy stems that don’t require staking. For best results, plant her in Zones 4-9.

A close up of the pink flowers of Echinacea purpurea 'Primadonna Deep Rose' growing in the garden, pictured in bright sunshine.

‘Primadonna Deep Rose’

With only the best qualities of a classic primadonna, she’s sure to sing in the garden beds, with little need to fuss over her.

Plants are available from Burpee.

14. Solar Flare

Another unique standout in the garden, this ‘Solar Flare’ won’t make your electronics act up (no need to reset those GPS satellites), but she’s sure to attract attention.

Large, fragrant magenta-red flowers with dark central cones grow on nearly black stems, providing gorgeous contrast against the green-leafed plants in your garden.

A close up of the delicate flowers of Echinacea purpurea 'Solar Flare' growing in the garden, on a soft focus background.

‘Solar Flare’

Best in Zones 4-8, this type has a mature height of 24-36 inches and a spread of 18-24 inches.

Plants are available from Burpee.

15. Sombrero

Imagine a summertime fiesta, with delicious food spread out on the patio table and guests dressed in vibrant colors, with their dancing shoes firmly laced and buckled, ready to celebrate.

What could be a better backdrop to this party than a swath of land filled with vibrantly hued coneflowers, dancing in the breeze?

A close up of an Echinacea purpurea 'Sombrero Baja Burgundy' flower, pictured on a soft focus background.

Sombrero® ‘Baja Burgundy’

The Sombrero® series is just the ticket. Available in bold shades of burgundy, red, orange-red, pumpkin orange, coral pink, and yellow, these coneflowers have large single blooms and brown, copper, or bronze central cones.

A close up of the yellow flowers of Echinacea purpurea 'Sombrero Lemon Yellow,' growing in the summer garden.

Sombrero® ‘Lemon Yellow’

With a branching habit and sturdy stems, these long-stemmed flowers are also lovely in arrangements.

Expect a mature height of 18-26 inches and a spread of 18-24 inches. This type does best in Zones 4-9.

Plants in ‘Baja Burgundy,’ ‘Salsa Red,’ ‘Flamenco Orange,’ ‘Adobe Orange,’ ‘Hot Coral,’ and ‘Lemon Yellow’ are available from Burpee.

16. Warm Summer

Can’t choose just one? Enjoy beautiful coneflowers all summer long and into the fall with this ‘Warm Summer’ mix.

Cream, yellow, orange, scarlet, rose, and purple flowers will fill your garden with a kaleidoscope of delight – and the pollinators won’t be able to resist.

A close up of the bright orange, pink, and red flowers of Echinacea purpurea 'Warm Summer,' growing in the garden on a soft focus background.

‘Warm Summer’

Plants reach a height of 26-30 inches with a spread of 16-18 inches, and this variety does best in Zones 4-9.

Seeds and plants are available from Burpee.

17. White Swan

Who doesn’t love the sight of a pair of swans with their elegant long necks, pausing so as not to startle them while you gaze upon their ballet-like movements as they glide across a pond?

What’s that? You don’t have your own private swan-filled water feature? Sadly, neither do I.

For now, I guess we’ll have to settle for this beautiful cultivar of E. purpurea alba instead.

A close up of the delicate white flowers of Echinacea purpurea 'White Swan' growing in the garden, with a butterfly to the left of the frame, on a soft focus background.

‘White Swan’

With large white blooms that can reach up to four inches across and a max height of 30 inches, ‘White Swan’ is suited to Zones 4-8.

Want to fill an entire sunny meadow with these? Eden Brothers Nursery even has 1-pound sacks available – that’s about 362,874 coneflower seeds, in case you were wondering.

Seeds in a variety of package sizes are available from Eden Brothers.

Fill Your Garden with Colorful Coneflowers

Now that you know just how many fantastic echinacea cultivars are out there (and there are more where these came from!) will you be able to stop at just one?

Whether you’re growing in a small space with pots on the patio or you have sunshine-filled acres to plant with blooming perennials to your heart’s content, the coneflower is a reliable bloomer that the beneficial insects will adore.

Close up of pink and purple coneflowers or Echinacea in bloom.

What’s your favorite type? Let us know in the comments below!

And for even more colorful blooms to add to the garden beds, read these roundups next:

Photo of author
Allison M. Sidhu grew up with her hands in the dirt in southeastern Pennsylvania, and she has returned to Philadelphia after a seven-year sojourn to sunny LA. She holds a BA in English literature from Swarthmore College and an MA in gastronomy from Boston University. When she’s not in the kitchen making pies and pickles or whipping up something tasty for dinner, Allison enjoys perusing the latest seed catalogs, tending her garden and houseplants, identifying wild flora and specimens at the local arboretums, and reading up on the latest in food and agriculture policy.

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Bonnie
Bonnie (@guest_13561)
2 years ago

I have purchased all different kinds and colored cone flowers but they come up pink the next year. Is there any food I can use to make them return to the color I purchased. Thank you

Me
Me (@guest_14120)
2 years ago

I am looking for a blue coneflower. Is there such a color?

susan jones
susan jones (@guest_19265)
1 year ago

Allison,
You are delightful with your wonderful way with words, descriptions and photos. Coneflowers and other flowers help keep my visiting birds happy. Me too!

Les Pennington
Les Pennington (@guest_32390)
8 months ago

What’s the point of trying to create a bed featuring coneflower when all (at least all the ones I’ve tried), turn to purple after a year or two? Very frustrating and disappointing.