Cheyenne Spirit Coneflower
A Wide Range of Bloom Colors on One Sturdy Plant
This hybrid echinacea cultivar blooms all summer long.
Cheyenne Spirit coneflower (Echinacea 'Cheyenne Spirit') is a cultivar of the purple coneflower, a popular perennial plant from the daisy (Asteraceae) family. The Cheyenne Spirit cultivar is known for its vibrant and diverse flower colors, which range from shades of red, orange, pink, yellow, and cream, all on the same plant! This cultivar was developed through selective breeding to produce a mix of colors within a single planting, adding unique visual interest to gardens and landscapes. Cheyenne Spirit coneflower is hardy in zones 4-9.
Like other coneflowers, Cheyenne Spirit is valued for its low maintenance requirements, drought tolerance, and ability to attract pollinators like butterflies and bees. This plant has a central cone surrounded by colorful, ray-like petals and is a popular choices for perennial gardens and wildflower meadows, beloved for its long season of bloom.
When growing Cheyenne Spirit coneflower, it is essential to provide well-draining soil and full to sun for optimal growth. Regular deadheading (removing spent flowers) can encourage continuous blooming throughout the growing season. To get the full spectrum of red, orange, pink, yellow and cream flower colors, plant several plants. When blooming ends in late summer, flowers will dry on the plants and become wintertime food for the birds.
Echinacea cultivars tend to be somewhat short-lived (less than 10 years) and should be treated as a short-term perennial to enjoy for a few seasons, then replace with something else. Coneflowers are considered to be deer-resistant; according to Rutgers University’s list of Landscape Plants Rated by Deer Resistance, deer will seldom severely damage echinacea (unfortunately, no plant is truly deer-proof and deer will eat anything if they are hungry enough!).
The spiky blooms of Cheyenne spirit coneflower contrast with blue star (Amsonia hubrichtii), inkberry (Ilex glabra ‘Shamrock’), and the purple-bronze leaves of Diablo ninebark (Physocarpus opufolius ‘Monlo’).
How to Plant and Grow Cheyenne Spirit Coneflower
Sunlight: Cheyenne Spirit coneflower thrives in full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight per day); any less than this reduces the amount of flowers and cause the colors to wash out. If you are looking for a coneflower for partial shade, choose the original straight species of coneflower, Echinacea purpurea.
Soil: Plant in moist, well-draining soil. Good drainage is crucial to prevent root rot. Coneflower is adaptable to most soil types, but will not tolerate wet, soggy soil.
Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist during the first growing season to help establish the plants. Once established, they are relatively drought-tolerant, but regular watering may still be needed. For watering guidance, see “How to Water your Plants”.
Spacing: Cheyenne Spirit coneflowers should be spaced 18 to 24 inches on center (18-24 inches from the center of one plant to the center of the next plant). Try this handy plant calculator to determine the number of plants required for your garden.
Mulching: Apply a layer of organic mulch around the plants to retain moisture, suppress weeds, and moderate soil temperature.
Fertilizing: Coneflowers generally do not require fertilization. Applying a layer of compost or Leaf-gro® around the plants, in springtime, will enrich the soil structure, improve drainage, and support plant health.
Landscaping Ideas for Cheyenne Spirit Coneflower
Perennial Border: Create a mixed border using Cheyenne Spirit coneflower along with other perennial flowers, such as bluestar (Amsonia hubrichtii) and stonecrop (Sedum ‘Autumn Joy’).
Butterfly and Pollinator Garden: Design a garden specifically to attract butterflies and pollinators by planting Cheyenne Spirit coneflowers alongside other nectar-rich plants like bee balm (Monarda), Joe Pye weed, and summersweet clethra (for more information about planning a butterfly garden, see “5 Low-Maintenance Butterfly Host Plants” and “5 Essential Nectar Plants for Your Butterfly Garden”.
Stylized Meadow or Prairie Garden: Create a naturalized look by massing Cheyenne Spirit coneflowers with grasses like switchgrass (Panicum species) or blue fescue, and flowers like the large cabbage-leaf coneflower.
Container Planting: Place potted Cheyenne Spirit coneflowers on sunny front porches, patios, decks, or along pathways for a burst of color.
Companion Planting with Shrubs: Pair Cheyenne Spirit coneflowers with evergreen shrubs like boxwoods (Buxus species), cherry laurels (Prunus laurocerasus cultivars), or dwarf Japanese cedar for a sophisticated style with year round visual interest and structure.
Planting Companions for Cheyenne Spirit Coneflower
Autumn Joy Stonecrop (Sedum ‘Autumn Joy’)
Zagreb Tickseed (Coreopsis verticillata ‘Zagreb’)
Beardtongue (Penstemon digitalis ‘Husker Red’)
Coronation Gold Yarrow (Achillea filipendulina ‘Coronation Gold’
Hubricht’s Bluestar (Amsonia hubrichtii)
Heavy Metal Blue Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum ‘Heavy Metal’)
A naturalistic planting of Rainbow Marcella coneflower and stonecrop (Sedum ‘Autumn Joy’).
What is wrong with my Cheyenne Spirit coneflower plant?
Japanese beetles feed on coneflower leaves and leave behind a lacey pattern of holes, with only the leaf veins remaining. Knocking the beetles off the plant, into a soapy container of water, is an effective solution for getting rid of these unwelcome pests. Bacterial leaf spot causes brownish-black spots and wilted flowers, and can be prevented by avoiding overcrowded plantings and aiming hose spray towards the roots and soil underneath the plants, not the leaves.
Coneflowers can also fall victim to the aster yellows disease, a plant pathogen that affects members of the daisy family (Asteraceae) and is transmitted by leafhopper insects. This fungal infection causes distorted flowers and stunted growth, and the plant becomes weak and frail. Unfortunately, there is no treatment for plants with aster yellows and infected plants should be removed immediately.
Coneflower rosette mite is a new and emerging problem for coneflowers, and the symptoms can look similar to the aster yellows. Mites living deep inside the plant feed on flowers and stems, causing stunted and distorted growth. Affected flowers should be cut off and disposed of immediately, taking care not to spread the mites to other parts of the plant or garden.