Echinaceas in Keld

Echinacea purpurea

Echinacea
Echinacea · 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.

90 cm · Full Sun · Moderate Water

Add to garden

Calibrated to Keld · last frost ≈ 3 Jun

Sow indoors April, plant out June. Frost risk September to June.
ActivityJanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember
Sow indoorsNoNoNoYesNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNo
Plant outNoNoNoNoNoYesNoNoNoNoNoNo

Growing guide

Step-by-step instructions for growing Echinacea

  1. 01

    Sow seeds indoors

    12 Apr to 26 Apr

    Sow seeds in trays or modules around 12th April - 26th April, using a free-draining seed compost. Keep them at and only cover the seed lightly, as it needs some light to germinate.

  2. 02

    Prick out seedlings

    10 May to 24 May

    Move seedlings on when the first true leaves appear, from 10th May. Handle them by the leaves, not the stems, and pot them on into individual small pots.

  3. 03

    Harden off plants

    20 May to 3 Jun

    Acclimatise young plants gradually from 20th May - 3rd June 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.

  4. 04

    Plant out

    3 Jun to 24 Jun

    Plant in a sunny, free-draining spot from 3rd June at apart. Water in thoroughly straight after planting and keep an eye on slugs around fresh growth.

  5. 05

    Water and establish

    2 Jun to 25 Jul

    Keep plants evenly moist through 2nd June - 25th July while roots settle. Water at the base in dry spells, but do not leave the soil soggy.

  6. 06

    Deadhead flowers

    2 Aug to 9 Sept

    Remove faded flowers from 2nd August - 9th September 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.

  7. 07

    Cut back dead growth

    26 Aug to 9 Oct

    After flowering finishes and the top growth dies back, cut stems down during 26th August - 9th October. 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.

Echinacea guides by town

See how Echinacea timing shifts in other towns with different frost dates.