Coneflower Color Changes - Ask Extension
I've had the traditional coneflower/Echinacea (lavendar) for decades, and whenever I plant a more interesting color (red, yellow) the new plants alway...
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Coneflower Color Changes #909785
Asked July 14, 2025, 1:36 PM EDT
I've had the traditional coneflower/Echinacea (lavendar) for decades, and whenever I plant a more interesting color (red, yellow) the new plants always change their flower color to the original plant. Can you explain? Is there a certain variety I can buy/plant that will resist the change of color?
Dakota County Minnesota
Expert Response
Thank you for writing.
There are several things going on here.
Genetic hybrids are often difficult to stabilize over generations. The base color usually is the base color because of some survival advantage. Bees, for example, prefer lavender coneflowers and as they go flower to flower, preferentially spread that color.
In addition, your colored coneflower produces seeds that are in the native (unhybridized) color.
Third, under stress (heat, drought, sunlight), new varieties can revert to the original variety in a single season. Simply cut off the lavender flowers and more hybrid colored flowers will appear.
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/25/realestate/echinacea-isnt-itself-anymore.html
There are several things going on here.
Genetic hybrids are often difficult to stabilize over generations. The base color usually is the base color because of some survival advantage. Bees, for example, prefer lavender coneflowers and as they go flower to flower, preferentially spread that color.
In addition, your colored coneflower produces seeds that are in the native (unhybridized) color.
Third, under stress (heat, drought, sunlight), new varieties can revert to the original variety in a single season. Simply cut off the lavender flowers and more hybrid colored flowers will appear.
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/25/realestate/echinacea-isnt-itself-anymore.html
