Prima Tiger Coneflower
Prima Tiger Coneflower
Bold Bicolor Daisies on a Dwarf, Front-of-Border Coneflower
Prima Tiger Coneflower (Echinacea 'Prima Tiger') packs striking orange-and-red bicolor daisies onto an ultra-compact, mounding plant. The Prima series is among the shortest coneflowers available — dense, tidy, and floriferous from early summer into fall — perfect for the very front of the border and containers. Bees and butterflies love the blooms, and goldfinches enjoy the fall seeds. Drought-tough and deer-resistant, it's a bold little gem for sunny spots in Edina, Eagan, and Maple Grove.
Prima Tiger Plant Details
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Botanical Name | Echinacea 'Prima Tiger' |
| Mature Size | 10–14 in. tall, 12–14 in. wide |
| Hardiness Zone | 4–9 (Twin Cities is zone 4b–5a — fully hardy) |
| Light | Full sun (6+ hours) |
| Bloom Time | Early summer into fall |
| Flower Color | Orange-and-red bicolor |
| 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
Dwarf front-of-border color: One of the most compact coneflowers — ideal for edging and patio pots. Space 12–14 inches apart.
Low-water sunny beds: Tough in hot, dry spots; leave seed heads for goldfinches. Pair with catmint, dwarf grasses, and sedum.
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 Prima Tiger 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 12–14 inches apart.
Watering Prima Tiger 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: How small is it?
A dwarf 10 to 14 inches — one of the most compact coneflowers, perfect for tight spaces and containers.
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
Prima Saffron Coneflower (Echinacea): A golden-orange dwarf from the same series.
Sedum (Hylotelephium): A drought-tough, deer-resistant front-of-border partner.
Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium): A native grass for a prairie-style border.
How Many Prima Tiger Coneflower Do I Need?
As one of the most compact coneflowers (10–14 inches wide), Prima Tiger works best edged tightly at about 13-inch centers — roughly one plant per 1.1 feet of border front.
| Bed Run | Plants Needed (at 13 in. spacing) |
|---|---|
| 5 ft | 5 plants |
| 10 ft | 9 plants |
| 15 ft | 14 plants |
| 20 ft | 18 plants |
For a solid ribbon of color along an edge, plant in groups of 3–5 about 13 inches apart.
Prima Tiger Coneflower Season-by-Season in Minnesota
- Spring: A low, tidy mound of green basal foliage emerges; no bloom yet.
- Summer: Striking orange-and-red bicolor daisies cover the dwarf mound from early summer, feeding bees and butterflies.
- Fall: Bloom continues; leave the seed heads standing for goldfinches.
- Winter: Stems and seedheads provide winter structure and bird food — cut back in spring.
At a Glance
✔ Pollinator-Friendly ✔ Deer-Resistant ✔ Drought-Tolerant
Plant It With
- Prima Ruby Coneflower — the ruby-rose dwarf from the same Prima series.
- Prima Saffron Coneflower — the golden dwarf from the same Prima series.
- Little Bluestem — a native grass for prairie-style texture behind the mound.
- Autumn Fire Sedum — a drought-tough, deer-resistant front-of-border partner.
Is Prima Tiger Coneflower Right for Your Yard?
Prima Tiger thrives in full sun (6+ hours) with well-drained soil — the very front of a border, edging, or a patio container. It is not a fit for shade or wet, soggy ground, which leads to crown rot.