echinacea

Echinacea or 'Purple Coneflower' is a hardy, dependable perennial prized for its distinctive daisy-like flowers, prominent cone-shaped centres, and beautiful pink to purple petals. A classic addition to perennial and cottage gardens, these sturdy plants provide bold colour and structure from midsummer into fall.

Native to North America, Echinacea is remarkably well suited to sunny gardens and becomes increasingly drought tolerant once established. Its strong, upright stems rise above attractive green foliage, producing an abundance of flowers that are excellent for borders, naturalized plantings, and fresh-cut bouquets.

Echinacea is also a wonderful choice for the pollinator garden. Bees and butterflies visit the blooms throughout summer, while mature seed heads provide late-season garden interest and can attract seed-eating birds.

Long-lived, cold hardy, and relatively low maintenance, Echinacea is an excellent perennial to grow from seed for gardeners looking for flowers that become more impressive with each passing year. Packet contains 40-50 seeds.

Echinacea
Echinacea purpurea

Sun:
• Full sun to partial shade

Height:
• 30–48 inches | 75–120 cm

Spread:
• 18–24 inches | 45–60 cm

Life Cycle:
• Perennial

Sowing Method:
• Start indoors or direct sow outdoors; a period of cold stratification can help improve germination

Difficulty:
• Easy to Moderate | Low maintenance once established

Bloom Season:
• Midsummer through fall

Uses:
• Perennial borders, cottage gardens, pollinator gardens, naturalized plantings, wildflower gardens, and cut flowers

Growing Zones:
• Zones 3–9