Product Field NotesCompanion Plants
Butter Pecan Coneflower: Soft Melon Doubles in Front of Lavender
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Butter Pecan coneflower is a low, wide double coneflower. Its fully double flowers, about four inches across, have broad, horizontal petals around a full, shaggy pompon center, all in a soft melon shade that opens golden and mellows to creamy melon-yellow as each bloom ages.
It likes lavender's sunny, well-drained conditions, and its warm, pale color makes a gentle contrast in front of purple lavender, softer than the bright oranges and pinks of many coneflowers.
Butter Pecan at a glance
| Trait | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Echinacea 'Butter Pecan' |
| Flowers | Fully double, about 4 inches, soft melon |
| Foliage | Dark green, coarse texture |
| Size | 18 to 20 inches tall, 16 to 18 inches wide |
| Bloom | Starts early July, peaks late July, into late summer |
| Hardiness | USDA zones 4 to 8 |
| Light | Full sun to light part shade |
| Deer | Resistant |
Placing it with lavender
Most coneflowers grow tall enough to stand behind lavender. Butter Pecan is the exception: at 18 to 20 inches, it fits in front of or beside medium lavenders without blocking them. Its round, full flowers contrast with lavender's slender spikes, and the soft melon tone warms up a cool purple bed without overpowering it.
It starts blooming in early July, as lavender reaches its peak, and keeps going into late summer, well after the lavender harvest. Each flower lasts about 10 to 14 days, and the plant branches freely with several flowers per stem, so there is usually something open. Space it so air moves freely around both plants. Try layouts in the Companion Plant Planner.
Planting and care
- Soil: average to lean, well drained. Wet winter soil is the main cause of loss for hybrid coneflowers.
- Timing: plant by late summer so roots establish before winter.
- Water: regularly the first season; it handles heat and dry spells once established.
- Deadheading: cut spent flowers back to a side bud to keep new ones coming.
- Fall: leave some seed heads standing for winter interest and for finches. Avoid heavy mulch over the crown.
- Watch for: aster yellows, which causes distorted green flowers. Remove affected plants.
Color is richest in moderate temperatures and can fade faster in extreme heat, which is normal.
Cutting
Butter Pecan rates well as a cut flower. Cut when the flowers are fully open but still fresh. A few melon doubles with stems of lavender make a soft, summery bouquet.
Ordering format
Butter Pecan is offered as a 72-cell plug tray. See the product page for current availability, or the Wholesale Hub for tray orders.
Frequently asked questions
Do double coneflowers attract as many pollinators?
Its pollinator value is fair. Doubles carry fewer exposed florets than single coneflowers, so for bee traffic, the lavender beside it will do most of the work.
Can it grow in a container?
Yes. Its compact size makes it a good choice for sunny containers in a well-drained mix.
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