Double Scoop Mandarin Coneflower
Double Scoop Mandarin Coneflower
Plush Double Mandarin-Orange Pompoms All Summer
Double Scoop Mandarin Coneflower (Echinacea 'Double Scoop Mandarin') glows with fully double, mandarin-orange pompom blooms on a compact, sturdy plant from midsummer into fall. The big, fluffy flowers hold their warm color for weeks and draw bees and butterflies to the border. Drought-tough and deer-resistant, it's a cheerful, textural choice for sunny beds and cut-flower gardens in Eden Prairie, Eagan, and Maple Grove.
Double Scoop Mandarin Plant Details
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Botanical Name | Echinacea 'Double Scoop Mandarin' |
| Mature Size | 20–24 in. tall, 18–22 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 | Double mandarin-orange pompoms |
| 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
Warm-color pollinator borders: The orange pompoms pop against blues and purples. Space 18–22 inches apart.
Cut-flower and sunny beds: Strong stems make great bouquets; tough in hot, dry spots. Pair with catmint, grasses, and single coneflowers.
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 Double Scoop Mandarin 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 18–22 inches apart.
Watering Double Scoop Mandarin 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: Do double coneflowers still feed pollinators?
Yes — bees and butterflies visit them, though single types offer easier access; mixing both supports pollinators best.
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: How big are the flowers?
Large, fluffy pompoms held upright on a compact, sturdy plant.
You May Also Like
Double Scoop Raspberry Coneflower (Echinacea): A rose double from the same series.
Russian Sage (Perovskia): Blue spires that contrast the orange pompoms.
Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium): A native grass for a prairie-style border.
How Many Double Scoop Mandarin Coneflower Do I Need?
Double Scoop Mandarin Coneflower matures around 18–22 in. wide, so space plants about 20 in. apart center-to-center. For the bold, drift-style massing these double coneflowers are made for, plant in odd-numbered groups of 5–7. Use the guide below for filling a sunny border run:
| Border Run | Plants Needed (at 20 in.) |
|---|---|
| 10 ft | 6 |
| 20 ft | 12 |
| 30 ft | 18 |
| 40 ft | 24 |
Double Scoop Mandarin Coneflower Season-by-Season in Minnesota
- Spring: A low clump of green foliage pushes up after the frost leaves the ground; tidy last year's stems and the plant fills in quickly.
- Summer: The main event — plush, fully double mandarin-orange pompoms open from midsummer and keep coming for weeks, alive with bees and butterflies.
- Fall: Blooming carries on into early fall; later flowers can be left to form seed heads that goldfinches pick at.
- Winter: Leave the sturdy stems standing — they add structure, catch snow, and protect the crown through Minnesota's coldest months.
At a Glance
✔ Pollinator-Friendly ✔ Deer-Resistant ✔ Drought-Tolerant ✔ Four-Season Interest
Plant It With
- Double Scoop Raspberry Coneflower — a rose double that flatters the warm orange tones.
- Double Scoop Deluxe Strawberry Coneflower — a red double for a hot-color border.
- Cobalt Millenium Allium — cool blue globes that make the orange pompoms pop.
- Little Bluestem — a native grass for prairie-style movement.
Is Double Scoop Mandarin Coneflower Right for Your Yard?
Double Scoop Mandarin Coneflower thrives in full sun (6+ hours) and well-drained soil — it shrugs off heat, lean ground, and dry spells once established, making it ideal for sunny Twin Cities borders and cut-flower beds. Not a fit if your site stays wet, since soggy winter soil causes crown rot; give it sharp drainage and watch for nibbling on very young plants.