Heirloom

Paradiso Tall Mix

Echinacea x hybrida

Wikimedia Commons

Harvest

135-165d

Days to harvest

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Sun

Full sun to part shade

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Zones

3–8

USDA hardiness

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Height

3 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.

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Planting Timeline

Zone:

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Transplant

Direct Sow

Transplant

Direct Sow

Showing dates for Paradiso Tall Mix in USDA Zone 7

All Zone 7 native-wildflower →

Zone Map

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Paradiso Tall Mix · Zones 3–8

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Easy

Spacing12-18 inches

WaterModerate; drought tolerant once established

SeasonPerennial

ColorMagenta, cream, yellow, white, and orange

Size3-4"

Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar

Zone	Indoor Start	Transplant	Direct Sow	Harvest
Zone 3	—	June – August	May – July	—
Zone 4	—	June – July	April – June	—
Zone 5	—	May – July	April – June	—
Zone 6	—	May – July	April – June	—
Zone 7	—	May – June	March – May	—
Zone 8	—	April – June	March – May	—
Zone 9	—	March – May	February – April	—
Zone 10	—	March – April	January – March	—

Complete Growing Guide

3-4" wide blooms in shades of magenta, cream, yellow, white, and orange can be used as casual cut-flowers, high-impact landscaping, or for perennial beds. Compared to Cheyenne Spirit, Paradiso Tall Mix has taller plants and a wider color range, including some softer hues such as white and cream. Attracts and is a food source for bees and other pollinators. Perennial in Zones 3-8. According to Johnny's Selected Seeds, Paradiso Tall Mix is 135 - 165 days to maturity, perennial, open pollinated. Notable features: Grows Well in Containers, Use for Cut Flowers and Bouquets, Ideal for Drying and Crafts, Attracts Beneficial Insects.

Light: eh-ki-NAY-see-ah pur-PUR-ee-ah. Soil: Clay, High Organic Matter, Loam (Silt), Sand, Shallow Rocky. Soil pH: Neutral (6.0-8.0). Drainage: Good Drainage, Moist, Occasionally Dry. Water: 'Alba', 'Amazing Dream', 'Avalanche', 'Bright Star', 'Bright Star', 'Cheyenne Spirit', Echinachea purpurea 'Hot Papaya' - PP#21,022, Fragrant Angel, 'Glowing Dream', 'Harvest Moon', 'Hot Papaya', ‘Kim’s Knee High’, 'Kismet Raspberry' PP 28,768 ('TNECHKR'), ‘Magnus’, 'Mellow Yellows', 'PAS702917' Powwow Wildberry, POW WOW, 'Purity', Ruby Star, 'Secret Affair', 'Sundown', 'Tiki Torch', 'White Swan'. Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.. Spread: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.. Spacing: 12 inches-3 feet. Growth rate: Rapid. Maintenance: 'Alba', 'Amazing Dream', 'Avalanche', 'Bright Star', 'Bright Star', 'Cheyenne Spirit', Echinachea purpurea 'Hot Papaya' - PP#21,022, Fragrant Angel, 'Glowing Dream', 'Harvest Moon', 'Hot Papaya', ‘Kim’s Knee High’, 'Kismet Raspberry' PP 28,768 ('TNECHKR'), ‘Magnus’, 'Mellow Yellows', 'PAS702917' Powwow Wildberry, POW WOW, 'Purity', Ruby Star, 'Secret Affair', 'Sundown', 'Tiki Torch', 'White Swan'. Propagation: Division, Root Cutting, Seed. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.

Harvesting

Paradiso Tall Mix reaches harvest at 135 - 165 days from sowing per Johnny's Selected Seeds. Expect 3-4" at peak.

Seeds produced in the center cone are small, dark, 4 sided achenes that are attractive to birds.

Color: Black. Type: Achene. Length: < 1 inch. Width: < 1 inch.

Garden value: Good Dried

Harvest time: Fall, Summer

Bloom time: Summer

Edibility: Herbaceous parts may be steeped as a tea

Storage & Preservation

For fresh cut flowers, store Paradiso Tall Mix in a cool room or refrigerator at 34-40°F with 80-90% humidity to extend vase life to 7-10 days. Remove lower leaves before placing stems in water with flower food. Preservation methods include: (1) Air drying by hanging bundles upside down in a dark, well-ventilated space for 2-3 weeks, ideal for dried arrangements; (2) Pressing flowers between heavy books or parchment paper for 2-4 weeks to create flat specimens for crafts; (3) Silica gel drying for 5-7 days to preserve color and shape for long-term display.

History & Origin

Paradiso Tall Mix is open-pollinated, meaning seed saved from healthy plants will produce true-to-type offspring. Listed in the Johnny's Selected Seeds catalog.

Origin: Eastern and central USA

Advantages

+Large 3-4" blooms in vibrant magenta, cream, yellow, white, and orange colors
+Taller plants provide excellent high-impact landscaping and dramatic perennial bed presence
+Wider color range than Cheyenne Spirit includes softer white and cream hues
+Easy to grow with strong pollinator attraction benefits gardens and local ecosystems
+Versatile use as casual cut flowers, landscape focal points, or perennial borders

Considerations

-Tall plants may require staking or support in windy locations or poor soil
-Long 135-165 day maturation requires patience before enjoying full bloom display
-Limited to Zones 3-8, restricting use in warmer or colder climates
-Mixed color range can appear chaotic without careful garden design planning

Companion Plants

Yarrow is the most practical companion here — it attracts parasitic wasps (Braconidae family) that knock back aphid pressure without any intervention from you. Bee balm (Monarda) pulls in the same long-tongued pollinators Paradiso needs and blooms just before the main Echinacea flush, so you get a longer run of activity in one bed. Native grasses planted 18–24 inches out add structural contrast without crowding the shallow crown zone. Black walnut is the one to give real distance to — juglone, the allelochemical in walnut roots and hulls, moves through soil far enough to collapse Echinacea plantings you'd never suspect were at risk. Dense turf grass does the same damage more slowly, just by smothering the crown over a season or two.

Plant Together

Marigolds

Repel nematodes and aphids while attracting beneficial insects like ladybugs

Yarrow

Attracts predatory insects and improves soil nutrients through deep roots

Lavender

Repels pests with aromatic oils and attracts pollinators like bees and butterflies

Native Grasses

Provide structural support and create natural habitat while preventing soil erosion

Echinacea

Attracts beneficial pollinators and shares similar growing conditions

Bee Balm

Attracts native bees and hummingbirds while deterring ants and mice

Sunflowers

Provide beneficial insect habitat and attract pollinators without competing for resources

Cosmos

Attract beneficial insects like lacewings and parasitic wasps for natural pest control

Keep Apart

Black Walnut Trees

Release juglone toxin through roots that inhibits growth of most wildflowers

Dense Turf Grass

Competes aggressively for water and nutrients, suppresses wildflower establishment

Invasive Thistle

Outcompetes native wildflowers for space and resources through aggressive spreading

Troubleshooting Paradiso Tall Mix

What you'll see, why it happens, and what to do about it.

White powdery coating on leaves, usually starting mid-summer on older foliage

Likely Causes

Powdery mildew (Erysiphe cichoracearum) — common on Echinacea in humid conditions with poor airflow
Crowded planting at less than 12 inches apart

What to Do

1.Thin plants so each crown has 12–18 inches of breathing room
2.Cut affected stems back to the base — Echinacea will resprout
3.Avoid overhead watering; water at the soil line in the morning

Stunted, distorted new growth with sticky residue on stems and flower buds

Likely Causes

Aphid colonies (commonly Aphis gossypii or Myzus persicae) clustering on tender growth
Ants farming aphids and protecting them from natural predators like ladybird beetles

What to Do

1.Knock aphids off with a firm spray of water — do this 3 days in a row
2.If the colony persists, apply insecticidal soap directly to the affected stems
3.Check for ant trails at the base of plants; ants actively move aphid colonies to protect them

Plants fail to return in spring after the first winter, crown rotted at soil level

Likely Causes

Crown rot from waterlogged soil over winter — Echinacea x hybrida tolerates less standing moisture than straight Echinacea purpurea
Planting in heavy clay with no amendment or raised grade

What to Do

1.Dig and amend planting beds with coarse sand or fine gravel to improve drainage before replanting
2.Set crowns slightly proud of the soil surface — a half-inch raised grade helps shed water off the crown
3.In zones 3–5, mulch with 2–3 inches of straw after the ground freezes, then pull it back in early March

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do Paradiso Tall Mix flowers last in a vase?▼

When cut fresh and stored in cool water with flower food, Paradiso Tall Mix blooms typically last 7-10 days in the vase. Keep stems submerged in cool water (34-40°F), change water every 2-3 days, and trim stems at an angle to maximize longevity. Remove any lower foliage to prevent bacterial growth.

Is Paradiso Tall Mix good for beginners?▼

Yes, Paradiso Tall Mix is excellent for beginners. It's rated as an easy-to-grow heirloom variety that thrives in full sun to part shade and tolerates varied conditions. These native wildflowers are hardy perennials in Zones 3-8, require minimal maintenance once established, and reliably produce vibrant blooms without specialized care.

Can you grow Paradiso Tall Mix in containers?▼

Yes, Paradiso Tall Mix can be successfully grown in containers, though they perform best in large pots (at least 12-18 inches deep) with well-draining soil. Container-grown plants may require more frequent watering than in-ground plantings. Ensure adequate drainage holes and place containers in full sun to part shade for optimal flowering.

When should I plant Paradiso Tall Mix seeds?▼

Sow Paradiso Tall Mix seeds directly outdoors after the last frost date in spring, or start indoors 6-8 weeks before your last frost date. These wildflowers prefer cool germination conditions and typically sprout in 10-14 days. In mild climates, you can also direct sow in fall for spring blooms.

How does Paradiso Tall Mix compare to Cheyenne Spirit?▼

Both are excellent native wildflower varieties, but Paradiso Tall Mix features taller plants (better for backgrounds) with a wider color range including softer cream and white hues, while Cheyenne Spirit offers more compact growth and bolder, warmer tones. Choose Paradiso for dramatic height and color variety, or Cheyenne Spirit for controlled, vibrant displays.

Are Paradiso Tall Mix flowers attractive to pollinators?▼

Absolutely. Paradiso Tall Mix is highly attractive to bees, butterflies, and other pollinators, serving as an important food source. The abundant blooms in varying colors make these native wildflowers an excellent choice for pollinator gardens, cottage gardens, or any landscape designed to support beneficial insects.