Aloha Coneflower
Aloha Coneflower
Warm Golden-Yellow Daisies With a Light Fragrance
Aloha Coneflower (Echinacea 'Aloha') glows with bright golden-yellow daisies warmed by an orange-tinged center, carried on strong, well-branched stems from midsummer into fall. The lightly fragrant blooms are a favorite of bees and butterflies, and goldfinches feast on the seed heads in autumn. Sturdy, drought-tough, and deer-resistant, it's a sunny, cheerful choice for borders and cut-flower gardens in Woodbury, Maple Grove, and Plymouth.
Aloha Coneflower Plant Details
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Botanical Name | Echinacea 'Aloha' |
| Mature Size | 24–30 in. tall, 18–24 in. wide |
| Hardiness Zone | 4–9 (Twin Cities is zone 4b–5a — fully hardy) |
| Light | Full sun (6+ hours) |
| Bloom Time | Midsummer into fall |
| Flower Color | Golden-yellow with a warm center |
| Soil | Well-drained; tolerates clay and lean soil if not soggy |
| Winter Hardiness | Reliable to about -25°F once established |
| Deer Resistance | Usually avoided by deer; may nibble young plants |
Landscape Uses in Minnesota
Sunny pollinator borders: The golden color brightens mid-border and pairs with hot and cool palettes. Space 18–24 inches apart.
Cut-flower and low-water beds: Lightly fragrant and great for bouquets; tough in hot, dry spots. Leave seed heads for goldfinches. Pair with catmint, salvia, and grasses.
Best Time to Plant in Minnesota
Plant in spring (late April–May) or early fall. Provide good drainage; avoid soggy winter soil.
How to Plant Aloha Coneflower
Dig a hole twice the pot's width at the same depth, amending heavy clay with compost. Set the crown level, backfill, water in, and mulch lightly, keeping mulch off the crown. Space 18–24 inches apart.
Watering Aloha Coneflower
First year: Water every 2–3 days at first, then weekly. Stop 2–3 weeks before the ground freezes.
After year one: Drought-tolerant — water only during extended dry spells.
Q: Is it fragrant?
Yes — Aloha carries a light, pleasant scent, a welcome bonus among coneflowers.
Q: Will it survive a Minnesota winter?
Yes — hardy to zone 4 with good drainage; leave stems up for winter crown protection.
Q: Is it deer-resistant?
Generally yes — deer usually avoid coneflowers, though young growth may be sampled.
Q: Does it attract pollinators?
Very much — bees and butterflies love the blooms, and goldfinches eat the fall seeds.
You May Also Like
Sombrero Granada Gold Coneflower (Echinacea): A compact golden companion.
Catmint (Nepeta): Blue spikes to contrast the golden blooms.
Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium): A native grass for a prairie-style border.
How Many Aloha Coneflower Do I Need?
Each plant matures to about 18–24 in. wide, so space plants roughly 2 ft on center for a full, drifting band of golden daisies:
| Run length | Plants needed (2 ft spacing) |
| 10 ft | 5 |
| 20 ft | 10 |
| 30 ft | 15 |
| 40 ft | 20 |
For the best pollinator impact, plant in drifts of 3–5 or more spaced about 2 ft apart rather than single plants.
Aloha Coneflower Season-by-Season in Minnesota
- Spring: A sturdy basal clump of green foliage builds, sending up well-branched stems.
- Summer: Bright, lightly fragrant golden-yellow daisies open from midsummer, swarming with bees and butterflies.
- Fall: Bloom continues, then the seed heads ripen — a favorite feast for goldfinches.
- Winter: Leave the seed heads standing for winter bird food and to protect the crown; cut back in early spring.
At a Glance
✔ Pollinator-Friendly ✔ Drought-Tolerant ✔ Deer-Resistant
Plant It With
- Sombrero Granada Gold Coneflower — a compact golden coneflower to echo the warm color.
- Dark Matter Salvia — deep-purple spikes that contrast the golden daisies.
- Little Bluestem — a native grass for a prairie-style, low-water border.
- American Goldfinch False Indigo — canary-yellow spires that bloom earlier in the same sunny bed.
Is Aloha Coneflower Right for Your Yard?
Aloha thrives in full sun with well-drained soil — ideal for a sunny pollinator border, a cut-flower patch, or a hot, low-water bed where its fragrance and drought toughness pay off. It's not a fit for wet, soggy winter ground or deep shade, where the crown rots and the stems flop and stop blooming.