Echinacea Growing Guide
What is Echinacea?
Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea) also known as Coneflower is a herbaceous perennial. It is part of the Asteraceae or daisy family and originated in the USA. Echinacea forms an upright habit with mid to dark green foliage depending on variety. They flower during Summer through to Autumn with flowers raised on long single stems. The flowers are daisy in appearance with raised cone-like centers which vary in colour from green to yellow and brown. Depending on variety, the flowers are usually purple, pink or white however hybrid colours ranging from hot red to sunset pinks, pale yellows and oranges. Echinacea prefer a full sun to light shade position in the garden that has well drained humus rich soil. They are frost hardy and tolerant of drought conditions.
Benefits of Growing Echinacea
Echinacea are ideal for borders, rock gardens, garden beds, pots and containers, and look great when planted en masse. They attract birds and butterflies to your garden. They can be used fresh or dried for flower arranging. A definite addition to a cottage garden.
How to Grow Echinacea
Echinacea Double Scoop Orange
Climatic Zones
Cool, temperate, arid, semi arid.
Plant Size
Height: 60cm-1m, Width: 50cm
When To Plant Echinacea
Plant anytime. If growing from seeds sow seeds in Spring or Summer.
Soil Preparation
They like a humus rich soil with good drainage however they will grow in just about anything including poor soils.
How To Plant Echinacea
Plant in full sun to light shade, 50cm apart with the plant crown at soil level.
Echinacea Plant Care
Water well whilst the plant is actively growing.
Feed annually in early Spring with a general purpose fertiliser.
Dead head regularly to encourage prolonged flowering.
Cut the plant back hard each Winter.
Recommended Echinacea Varieties
Echinacea Sombrero Yellow
Echinacea Sombrero Hot Coral
Echinacea Sombrero Adobe
