Product Field NotesCompanion Plants
Cheyenne Spirit Coneflower: A Warm Rainbow to Follow Lavender
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Cheyenne Spirit coneflower is an award-winning seed mix in which every plant picks its own color: tomato red, bright orange, magenta, golden yellow, cream or white. Plant a group and you get a lively, multicolored patch, with no two neighbors quite alike. The bushy, well-branched plants flower from early summer into early fall, even in their first year.
Coneflowers and lavender are an old, reliable pairing. They share sun and drainage, and the warm coneflower colors make lavender's cool purple look even richer.
Cheyenne Spirit at a glance
| Trait | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Echinacea 'Cheyenne Spirit' |
| Flowers | 3 to 4 inches across, mixed red, orange, magenta, gold, cream and white, one color per plant |
| Foliage | Dark green, coarse-textured |
| Size | 22 to 30 inches tall, 18 to 28 inches wide |
| Bloom | Starts late June, peaks late July, continues into early fall |
| Hardiness | USDA zones 4 to 9 |
| Light | Full sun to light part shade |
| Wildlife | Excellent for butterflies and bees; deer resistant |
Pairing it with lavender
Lavender's main show is early summer. Cheyenne Spirit starts in late June and peaks in late July, so it picks up the bed as the lavender is harvested and keeps it colorful into September. Set the coneflowers behind or between lavender groups; at two to two and a half feet, they stand just above most English lavenders.
Color-wise, the mix gives you choices. The magentas and whites sit softly beside lavender, while the oranges and reds make a bold, sunset-style contrast. Because each plant is a surprise, plant in groups of five or more for the full effect. The Companion Plant Planner can help with spacing.
Planting and care
- Timing: plant by late summer so roots can establish before winter.
- Soil: average to lean and well-drained. Hybrid coneflowers are most often lost to wet winter soil.
- Water: regular while settling in, then it handles heat and dry spells.
- Deadheading: snip faded flowers to extend bloom, but leave some heads in fall.
- Watch for: aster yellows, which makes distorted green flowers. Remove affected plants.
- Winter: leave the stems standing and avoid heavy mulch over the crown.
Flower color is richest in moderate weather and can fade faster in a heat wave, which is no reflection on your gardening.
Cut, dried and for the birds
Cheyenne Spirit is good for cutting and drying. Cut when the petals are fully open but the cone is still firm. The flowers carry a faint, lightly sweet, honey-like scent. Seed heads left standing feed finches into winter and look handsome with snow on top.
About the plug tray
This mix is offered as a 72-cell plug tray, ideal for planting the big groups a seed mix needs. See the product page for current availability, or visit the Wholesale Hub.
Frequently asked questions
Can I choose which colors I get?
No. It is a seed-grown mix, and each plant blooms in one color. A group gives you an assortment.
Will it bloom the first year?
Yes. Cheyenne Spirit is known for flowering in its first season.
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