Echinacea
Coneflower
- Height × spread
- 0.3m – 1.2m × 0.3m – 0.9m
- Position
- Full sun
Availability
Generally available in late Spring & Summer
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
Showy plants with daisy flowers that have a noticeable cone shaped area at the centre of each flower. Echinacea purpurea forms are often seen strutting their stuff in the late summer and autumn border. They stand between 60cm and around 1.5 metres in height. There are a number of intriguing new cultivars available with spiky petals. Classic forms include the lovely 'White Swan' and stately purple 'Magnus'. Other Echinacea varieties include the refined Echinacea pallida with streaming petals in shades of white, pink and purple. Echinacea paradoxa has slender golden yellow petals. Echinacea forms tend to be short-lived but are so magnificent that one generally seeks to replace them.
- Flower colour
- Cream, Gold, Green, Orange, Peach, Pink, Purple, Red, Rose, White, Yellow
- Foliage colour
- Green, White
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- Yes, some varieties
- Shape
- Bell, Column, Cube, Dome
- Height
- 0.3m – 1.2m
- Spread
- 0.3m – 0.9m
- Season of interest
- Spring, Summer, Autumn
- Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Garden style
- Wild flower meadow, Small scale garden, Scented garden, Prairie garden, Exotic garden, Cottage garden
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun
- Soil type
- Chalk, Clay, Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Well drained soil, Dry soil
- Winter hardiness
- Varies, most are hardy
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- Ground cover, Bee attraction, Butterfly attraction
- Maintenance
- Some varieties are easycare (low/no maintenance)
- Hazards
- No
AutumnNow
Autumn · Planting
Prune foliage back
Cut foliage back to the ground in autumn.
Autumn · Planting
Remove offsets to create new plants
Offsets are small plants or shoots that develop around the parent plant. They should have developed a root system of their own before they are detached. They can be planted directly, or grown in pots if so small they could be 'lost' in the garden.
Spring
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water in dry periods
Established plants in the ground can cope with 7-10 days of dryness, and shrubs often manage 2 to 3 weeks. Water one section of the garden thoroughly each day rather than a little everywhere. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water to keep the soil moist
For best results, this plant needs soil that is always moist. Water deeply and regularly as soon as soil appears dry. Even for established plants in the ground, a dry week can cause problems with some soils. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather. Or install an automatic irrigation system which will do the hard work for you, even when you are away on holiday.
Without regular watering some plants never fully regain their beauty.
Summer
Summer - early · Outdoors
Apply slow release fertiliser
Apply a slow release fertiliser which is spread around the root area of the plants soon after they have come into growth. (Or apply a liquid feed at regular intervals throughout the growing season.)
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost as a single annual procedure.
Planting & general
Outdoors
Water some varieties differently
Some plants within this genus have additional requirements for water. It is best to look up your specific plant, or the species it belongs to for watering guidance.
Found in
More Echinacea
Echinacea SunSeekers Red = 'Apecssired'
Coneflower
Echinacea purpurea 'Little Magnus'
Purple coneflower, Black Samson, Eastern purple coneflower, Hedge coneflower
Echinacea purpurea 'Mistral'
Hybrid coneflower
Echinacea purpurea 'Pow Wow White'
Purple coneflower, Black Samson, Eastern purple coneflower, Hedge coneflower
Echinacea purpurea Pow Wow Wild Berry = 'Pas702917'
Purple coneflower, Black Samson, Eastern purple coneflower, Hedge coneflower
Echinacea 'Art's Pride'
Coneflower
Echinacea 'Cheyenne Spirit'
Coneflower
Echinacea 'Chiquita'
Coneflower