Echinaceas in Patton Bridge

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 Patton Bridge · last frost ≈ 13 May

Sow indoors March to April, plant out May. Frost risk October to May.
ActivityJanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember
Sow indoorsNoNoYesYesNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNo
Plant outNoNoNoNoYesNoNoNoNoNoNoNo

Growing guide

Step-by-step instructions for growing Echinacea

  1. 01

    Sow seeds indoors

    14 Mar to 13 Apr

    Sow seeds in trays or modules around 14th March - 13th 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

    12 Apr to 26 Apr

    Move seedlings on when the first true leaves appear, from 12th April. Handle them by the leaves, not the stems, and pot them on into individual small pots.

  3. 03

    Harden off plants

    29 Apr to 13 May

    Acclimatise young plants gradually from 29th April - 13th May 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

    13 May to 13 May

    Plant in a sunny, free-draining spot from 13th May at apart. Water in thoroughly straight after planting and keep an eye on slugs around fresh growth.

  5. 05

    Water and establish

    13 May to 8 Oct

    Keep plants evenly moist through 13th May - 8th October while roots settle. Water at the base in dry spells, but do not leave the soil soggy.

  6. 06

    Deadhead flowers

    12 Jul to 8 Oct

    Remove faded flowers from 12th July - 8th October 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 Sept to 7 Nov

    After flowering finishes and the top growth dies back, cut stems down during 24th September - 7th November. 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.