Echinacea, commonly known as coneflowers, are remarkable perennials that radiate warmth and beauty in any garden. With their striking daisy-like flowers in shades of pink, purple, and white, they are like cheerful sunbursts that attract bees and butterflies with their sweet nectar. These friendly and resilient plants not only add a pop of colour to your outdoor space but also provide a soothing touch of nature to your surroundings.
Planting Calendar
Echinacea is best planted from spring through to autumn.
Prepare
They're a rich source of nectar for bees and butterflies and the seed heads provide good bird food in autumn to winter. The flowers are also good cut for the vase, fresh or dried.
Position
Echinacea likes a nice sunny spot in the garden, but will tolerate a bit of shade, with free draining soil.
Soil
When planted into the ground, Echinacea prefers a free-draining soil that is rich in organic matter. To improve the organic content in your soil, break up the soil and add Kings Compost and Kings Sheep Pellets then mix together well. When growing in containers, plant into Kings Container mix. This mix contains Saturaid, which helps with moisture retention in the soil.
Plant
When planting into the ground, gently tap the plant out of its pot. Dig a hole twice the depth and width of the plant’s root ball. Mix Kings Compost into your existing soil at a 50/50 ratio, add Kings Sheep Pellets then mix together. Backfill the hole with this soil, so that when planted the top of the plant’s roots sit level with the surrounding ground. Firm the soil down gently and water in well with Aquaticus Organic Garden Booster. In heavier clay soils, where drainage is likely to be an issue, plant onto a raised mound and sprinkle Gypsum Clay Breaker into the bottom of the hole, this helps slowly condition the soil and help to break down the clay. When planting into containers, plant into Kings Container Mix, as this has water retention crystals in it, which will help in keeping the soil moist.
Care
Watering
Although some what drought resistant it is best to water well in dry periods.
Feeding
When planted in the ground liquid feed every month with Aquaticus Organic Garden Booster, from Spring through to the end of Autumn, this encourages root growth and increases the microbial activity in the soil. Monthly applications of Kings Sheep Pellets will help with soil conditioning and plant health. If planted into a container, feed with Kings Liquid Fast Food along with monthly applications of Aquaticus Organic Garden Booster this encourages strong roots and a healthy immune system.
Protecting
Protect from slugs and snails with Tui Quash.
Mulching
Mulch around the base of the plants (making sure it is not in direct contact with the base of the plant) with Living Earth More than Mulch. Mulching helps to reduce weeds as well as aiding the soil to lock moisture in the ground.
Pruning
Remove flowers as they fade, cut back to a new set of leaves to encourage new flowers to emerge. You can also harvest a few of the fall flowers to dry and make herbal teas that help battle winter colds from the coneflower petals.
Beginner Tip
Small birds such as finches and wax eyes love the seed from the flowers. Leave a few flowers to go to seed to feed the birds and encourage them into the garden.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make my own Echinacea tea from this plant?
There are a variety of echinacea plants that can be used to brew tea including Echinacea purpurea, Echinacea angustifolia, and Echinacea pallida. Echinacea tea can be made from the echinacea root or flowers of your garden plant. You can use fresh flowers, leaves, stems, and roots, or dry a batch to always have some on hand.
How often should I water Echinacea?
Although some what drought resistant it is best to water well in dry periods.
When is the best time to plant Echinacea?
Spring or early autumn is the best time to plant Echinacea. This allows the plant to establish roots before the extremes of summer or winter.
How do I propagate Echinacea?
Echinacea can be propagated by seed, division, or cuttings. The easiest method is by dividing clumps in spring or autumn. Seeds can be sown indoors in late winter or directly in the garden in spring.
What pests and diseases affect Echinacea?
Echinacea is generally pest-resistant but can be affected by aphids, caterpillars, and Japanese beetles. Powdery mildew and root rot can occur in poorly drained soil.