Flowering in late summer Echinacea is an easy to grow perennial. They are bold and tough once established making them an increasingly popular choice for UK gardens. These plants are a fantastic attraction for butterflies and bees, and are known as the ‘cone flower’ . To find out more about these ever so popular flowers read this plant profile on the Echinacea.
Echinacea Varieties
Echinacea Delicious Candy

Flowering time | Summer – autumn |
Sun requirements | Full sun |
Hardiness | Hardy in most parts of the UK |
Size | Grows to approx. 45cm |
Echinacea Delicious Ice

Flowering time | Summer – autumn |
Sun requirements | Full sun |
Hardiness | Hardy in most parts of the UK |
Size | Grows to approx. 40cm |
Echinacea Meditation Orange

Flowering time | Summer – autumn |
Sun requirements | Full sun |
Hardiness | Hardy in most parts of the UK |
Size | Grows to approx. 40cm |
Echinacea Meditation Pink

Flowering time | Summer – autumn |
Sun requirements | Full sun |
Hardiness | Hardy in most parts of the UK |
Size | Grows to approx. 40cm |
Echinacea Prima Ruby

Flowering time | Summer – autumn |
Sun requirements | Full sun |
Hardiness | Hardy in most parts of the UK |
Size | Grows to approx. 15cm |
Echinacea Prima Saffron

Flowering time | Summer – autumn |
Sun requirements | Full sun |
Hardiness | Hardy in most parts of the UK |
Size | Grows to approx. 25cm |
Echinacea purpurea Lakota Red Ombre

Flowering time | Summer – autumn |
Sun requirements | Full sun |
Hardiness | Hardy in most parts of the UK |
Size | Grows to approx. 45cm |
Echinacea purpurea Lakota Soft Orange

Flowering time | Summer – autumn |
Sun requirements | Full sun |
Hardiness | Hardy in most parts of the UK |
Size | Grows to approx. 50cm |
Echinacea Sunny Days Lemon

Flowering time | Summer – autumn |
Sun requirements | Full sun/partial shade |
Hardiness | Hardy in most parts of the UK |
Size | Grows to approx. 40cm |
Echinacea Sunny Days Ruby

Flowering time | Summer – autumn |
Sun requirements | Full sun |
Hardiness | Hardy in most parts of the UK |
Size | Grows to approx. 40cm |
Echinacea White Meditation

Flowering time | Summer – autumn |
Sun requirements | Full sun |
Hardiness | Hardy in most parts of the UK |
Size | Grows to approx. 60cm |
Growing Guide

Planting
These coned shaped flowers are best planted in the spring or summer in soil that easily drains and positioned in full sun. Avoid planting during the autumn as they are prone to rotting in winter.
Pruning
Although these can be cut after the plant has died back in late autumn it has been known that as the seed heads look quite remarkable in the winter. It is becoming more popular now to leave them and clean up any remaining foliage as it starts to shoot in the Spring.
The plant can also be reduced in late May to enable a stockier form to grow. (Also known as the Chelsea Chop!)
Planting Ideas

They work well when planted with tall grasses and other late flowering perennials, however once planted they do not like to be disturbed so are best planted where they can produce a large mass.
Echinacea Fact
They have been a popular substance in complementary medicines with the ideology that they help to enhance the immune system. They have medicinal properties to alleviate cold and flu symptoms, which has made it a popular choice in natural remedies.