Echinaceas in Old Town

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 Old Town · last frost ≈ 16 Feb

Sow indoors December to January, plant out February. Frost risk December to February.
ActivityJanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember
Sow indoorsYesNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoYes
Plant outNoYesNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNo

Growing guide

Step-by-step instructions for growing Echinacea

  1. 01

    Sow seeds indoors

    18 Dec to 17 Jan

    Sow seeds in trays or modules around 18th December - 17th January, 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

    16 Jan to 30 Jan

    Move seedlings on when the first true leaves appear, from 16th January. Handle them by the leaves, not the stems, and pot them on into individual small pots.

  3. 03

    Harden off plants

    2 Feb to 16 Feb

    Acclimatise young plants gradually from 2nd February - 16th February 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

    16 Feb to 16 Feb

    Plant in a sunny, free-draining spot from 16th February at apart. Water in thoroughly straight after planting and keep an eye on slugs around fresh growth.

  5. 05

    Water and establish

    16 Feb to 10 Dec

    Keep plants evenly moist through 16th February - 10th December while roots settle. Water at the base in dry spells, but do not leave the soil soggy.

  6. 06

    Deadhead flowers

    17 Apr to 10 Dec

    Remove faded flowers from 17th April - 10th December 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 Nov to 9 Jan

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