When to plant Echinacea in Nottingham

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 Nottingham · last frost ≈ 20 Apr

Sow indoors February to March, plant out April to May. Frost risk November to April.
ActivityJanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember
Sow indoorsNoYesYesNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNo
Plant outNoNoNoYesYesNoNoNoNoNoNoNo

Growing guide

What to do through the growing season

  1. 01

    Sow seeds indoors

    27 Feb to 13 Mar

    Sow seeds in trays or modules around 27th February - 13th March, 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

    20 Mar to 17 Apr Dates as each sowing reaches this stage

    Move seedlings on when the first true leaves appear, from 20th March. Handle them by the leaves, not the stems, and pot them on into individual small pots.

  3. 03

    Harden off plants

    6 Apr to 20 Apr

    Acclimatise young plants gradually from 6th April - 20th 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.

  4. 04

    Plant out

    20 Apr to 11 May

    Plant in a sunny, free-draining spot from 20th April at apart. Water in thoroughly straight after planting and keep an eye on slugs around fresh growth.

  5. 05

    Water and establish

    20 Apr to 22 Jun Dates as each sowing reaches this stage

    Keep plants evenly moist through 20th April - 22nd June while roots settle. Water at the base in dry spells, but do not leave the soil soggy.

  6. 06

    Deadhead flowers

    19 Jun to 7 Nov

    Remove faded flowers from 19th June - 7th 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.

  7. 07

    Cut back dead growth

    24 Oct to 7 Dec

    Cut back old stems during 24th October - 7th December. If you left seed heads for birds, leave those stems standing until late winter, then remove them. Trim the rest down to a little crown of growth at soil level, taking care not to damage new shoots.

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.