Echinacea 'Green Twister' is a striking coneflower cultivar known for its unique bicolor petals that transition from lime green at the tips to vibrant pink near the center cone. The prominent orange cone attracts attention even before blooming begins, and the blooms persist for weeks gradually fading into soft green hues. Its upright well branched form provides strong vertical interest and makes an excellent cut flower. This variety is also known for its ability to rebloom when deadheaded and maintain structural appeal well into winter.
Height & Spread: 30 - 36 in x 18 - 24 in
Bloom Time: Mid to late summer
Light Requirements: Full sun
Soil Preference: Well drained, moderately fertile soils
Watering Needs: Low to moderate; drought tolerant once established
Deer Resistance: Rarely browsed by deer due to rough textured foliage and cone
Native Status
This cultivar is derived from the North American native species Echinacea purpurea, retaining many of its beneficial ecological traits while offering a distinctive color variation.
WILDLIFE & INSECTS
Butterflies
- Attracts a wide range of butterflies such as Monarchs, Eastern Tiger Swallowtails, and Painted Ladies for nectar throughout its long bloom period.
Bees
- Supports native bumblebees, sweat bees, and honeybees with abundant central cone nectar.
Moths
- Visited by nocturnal pollinators including owlet moths and sphinx moths attracted to its shape and cone scent.
Birds
- Seed heads left standing attract goldfinches, chickadees, and other small songbirds during fall and winter.
Spacing & Landscape Use
Spacing Recommendations:
- Space 18 - 24 in apart to allow upright form to develop without crowding neighboring plants.
Landscape Placement:
- Ideal for sunny borders, pollinator gardens, cutting gardens, and naturalized prairie style plantings. Adds bold color and vertical form when massed or used as focal accents.
Companion Plants
- Salvia nemorosa 'Caradonna' (Wood Sage) - Compact vertical spikes and rich purple blooms contrast well with Echinacea’s soft petals.
- Coreopsis verticillata 'Moonbeam' (Threadleaf Coreopsis) - Feathery foliage and pale yellow flowers offer fine texture and color balance.
- Lavandula angustifolia (English Lavender) - Aromatic foliage and purple flowers complement the summer palette while thriving in similar conditions.
- Rudbeckia fulgida 'Goldsturm' (Black Eyed Susan) - Adds a bold golden bloom and pairs naturally with coneflowers in native styled plantings.
- Monarda fistulosa (Wild Bergamot) - Open lavender flowers and fragrant leaves enhance pollinator activity and echo pink tones.
- Agastache foeniculum (Anise Hyssop) - Fragrant upright spikes of purple provide both height and late season pollinator support.