Product Field NotesCompanion Plants
Sombrero® Lemon Yellow Improved: Fuller Yellow Coneflowers
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Sombrero® Lemon Yellow Improved coneflower is an update on the earlier lemon yellow form, with wider, fuller, overlapping petals in rich lemon yellow around a domed copper-brown cone. The plant is compact and heavily branched, so it carries a dense layer of clear yellow flowers from early through late summer.
Lemon yellow and lavender purple are one of gardening's natural partnerships, and this coneflower handles the same full sun and dry, well-drained soil.
Lemon Yellow Improved at a glance
| Trait | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Echinacea Sombrero® Lemon Yellow Improved |
| Flowers | Rich lemon yellow, about 3 inches, copper-brown cone |
| Foliage | Medium to dark green, lance-shaped |
| Size | 18 to 22 inches tall, 22 to 24 inches wide |
| Bloom | Starts late June, peaks mid-July, through summer |
| Hardiness | USDA zones 4 to 9 |
| Light | Full sun to light part shade |
| Wildlife | Excellent for butterflies and bees; deer resistant |
A sunny focal point for the lavender bed
Clear yellow brightens purple without overpowering it. One clump of Lemon Yellow Improved can act as a sunny focal point in a lavender bed, while a mass planting of three to five creates a bold band of color in front of or between lavender groups. Its bloom season, late June through summer, overlaps lavender's peak and keeps going after the lavender is trimmed.
It fills out quickly to about two feet wide, so leave space between it and the lavender crowns. Lavender needs air around its base, and coneflowers are happier with a little breathing room in humid weather too. Plan the layout in the Companion Plant Planner.
Helping it come back every year
Like many hybrid coneflowers, it can be short-lived in heavy or wet soil. A few habits make a big difference:
- Drainage first: wet winter soil is the main reason hybrid coneflowers disappear. Plant on well-drained ground, the same kind lavender wants.
- Plant early enough: get it in the ground by late summer so roots establish before winter.
- Keep the basal leaves: plants that head into fall with a full tuft of leaves at the base overwinter best. Do not cut it back hard.
- Skip heavy mulch: keep mulch off the crown.
- Watch for aster yellows: distorted, green flowers mean the plant should be removed.
Bouquets and birds
The sturdy, well-branched stems make good cut flowers, and the blooms dry well too. Fresh yellow coneflowers with lavender stems make a cheerful summer jar. In fall, leave the last seed heads standing for winter birds. The flowers carry a faint, lightly sweet scent.
Format
Lemon Yellow Improved is offered as a full 72-cell plug tray, ideal for mass plantings, containers and growers. See the product page for current availability.
Frequently asked questions
What is improved about it?
Its petals are wider and fuller than the original lemon yellow, giving a more substantial flower on a compact, well-branched plant.
Should I cut coneflowers back in fall?
Not hard. Leave the basal leaves and the last seed heads in place and tidy up in spring.
Will it grow in a container?
Yes. Its compact size suits a large, sunny pot with good drainage.
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