Echinacea purpurea

The classic Purple Coneflower, Echinacea purpurea is one of the great cottage garden perennials. Stout, upright stems rise to around 100cm, clothed in coarsely textured, lance-shaped mid-green leaves, and topped from midsummer well into autumn with large, elegant flowerheads. The slightly reflexed, light purplish-pink petals sweep back from a prominent golden-brown central cone — a form that bees and butterflies find irresistible.

Native to the prairies and open woodlands of eastern North America, it is naturally tough and easy to grow in a sunny border with fertile, free-draining soil. Give each plant its own space; Echinacea will not thrive if crowded by neighbouring plants.

Height × Spread: 100cm × 30cm