About
Upright perennial to about 1.5m tall, with coarsely hairy, lance-shaped mid-green basal leaves to 15cm long, and solitary flowerheads to 12cm across with slightly reflexed, light purplish-pink rays and a golden brown central disk, from midsummer to autumn; native to prairies and woods of eastern USA.
About the genus
Echinacea are erect, clump-forming rhizomatous perennials with simple or pinnately lobed leaves and solitary, long-stalked daisies with prominent conical central disks and often drooping ray florets; attractive to butterflies
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun, Partial shade
Soil typeChalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureWell-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing, East-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH5
Plant details
Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial
HabitClump forming
FoliageDeciduous
Height1-1.5 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Coastal, Cottage and informal garden, Prairie planting, Wildflower meadow, Wildlife gardens
Native toC&E North America
Care notes
CultivationGrow in deep, well-drained, humus-rich soil ideally in full sun, although toleratant of some shade, see echinacea cultivation for further advice
PruningCut back stems as the blooms fade to encourage further flower production
PropagationPropagate by division in spring or autumn or by root cuttings from late autumn to early winter
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free