Photo: Photo by and (c)2007 Derek Ramsey (Ram-Man), GFDL 1.2 · source
Pruning guide · Perennial
Yellow coneflower: when and how to prune
Echinacea paradoxa
Yellow coneflower is best pruned in March.
| Pruning months | March |
|---|---|
| Flowering | June–August |
| Good for bees, butterflies and birds | Yes, for bees, butterflies and birds |
| Native to Belgium | No, planted |
Yellow coneflower: when to prune it?
It hardly needs pruning. Leave the stems standing all winter and cut them down in March.
What else to prune in those months? March
Yellow coneflower: how to prune it?
- In March, cut the dead stems down to just above the new shoots at the base.
- In summer you can cut spent flowers back to the next leaf to prolong flowering.
- From late August, leave the seed cones for the birds and as a winter silhouette.
How much to cut, and how often?
- One pruning period a year: March.
What does it mean for wildlife?
- Yellow coneflower flowers in June–August, when it attracts bees and butterflies.
- If you only cut back in March, the old stems stand through the winter: insects overwinter in them and birds eat the seeds.
Caution: Do not cut everything down in autumn: the seed cones are winter food for birds.
Nearby: related pruning guides
Plant profile: Yellow coneflower · Pruning calendar and basic rules
This guide is compiled from the Bladwijzer plant profile and pruning calendar.