Echinaceas in Durham
Echinacea purpurea
A hardy perennial for a sunny border or large container, grown for its daisy-like flowers and useful pollinator value. In UK gardens it does best in free-draining soil and may not flower well until its second year from seed.
Growing Guide
Step-by-step instructions for growing Echinacea
Planting Calendar
Sow seeds indoors
3 Feb – 5 MarSow seeds in trays or modules around 3rd February - 5th March, using a free-draining seed compost. Keep them at and only cover the seed lightly, as it needs some light to germinate.
Prick out seedlings
4 Mar – 18 MarMove seedlings on when the first true leaves appear, from 4th March. Handle them by the leaves, not the stems, and pot them on into individual small pots.
Harden off plants
21 Mar – 4 AprAcclimatise young plants gradually from 21st March - 4th April before planting out. Put them outside in a sheltered spot for a few hours at first, then extend the time each day over about 10 days.
Plant out
4 Apr – 4 AprPlant in a sunny, free-draining spot from 4th April at apart. Water in thoroughly straight after planting and keep an eye on slugs around fresh growth.
Water and establish
4 Apr – 6 NovKeep plants evenly moist through 4th April - 6th November while roots settle. Water at the base in dry spells, but do not leave the soil soggy.
Deadhead flowers
3 Jun – 6 NovRemove faded flowers from 3rd June - 6th November to keep the display going for longer. Cut stems back to a strong pair of leaves and leave a few heads later on if you want seed for birds.
Cut back dead growth
23 Oct – 6 DecAfter flowering finishes and the top growth dies back, cut stems down during 23rd October - 6th December. Leave a little crown of growth at soil level so the plant goes into winter cleanly.
Companion Plants
Tap a plant to see why it works (or doesn't) with Echinacea.
Good companions
Plants to avoid
Why companion planting matters
Companion planting can deter pests, improve pollination, and make better use of space. Some plants confuse pests or attract beneficial insects; others improve soil or offer shade to neighbours that need it.
Suggested Varieties
Popular varieties of Echinacea to consider
Magnus
A reliable purple-flowered form with broad petals and good garden performance.
White Swan
White flowers with orange cones, useful for a softer colour scheme.
PowWow Wild Berry
Compact and free-flowering, with rich pink blooms on shorter stems.
Green Jewel
Unusual green flowers for a more muted planting scheme.
Related Plants
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Basil
Basil is a fragrant, tender herb whose leaves are a staple of summer cooking. Native to tropical regions, basil is treated as an annual in temperate climates like the UK because it cannot tolerate frost. It thrives in warm, sunny conditions and can be grown in garden beds or pots for a steady supply of fresh, flavourful leaves throughout the summer.
Brussels Sprouts
Brussels sprouts are a hardy winter brassica (cabbage family) that form sturdy, leafy stems often around 60–90cm tall. They produce edible mini-cabbage buds along the stem from autumn through winter. Thanks to their cold tolerance, sprouts remain productive into late winter, and frost actually improves their sweetness.
Calabrese
Calabrese (broccoli) produces a large central head of tightly-packed green buds, followed by smaller side-shoots after the main head is cut. It’s a cool-season brassica crop. Grow it in full sun with fertile, well-drained soil and keep plants watered during dry spells. Harvest the heads while firm, then leave the stem in the ground to allow side-shoots to develop.