Approximately 50 Seeds
Bold, white, daisy-like flowers with drooping petals that reveal orange-brown centres appear on rigid stems from June to September. This lovely white coneflower is shorter than other varieties, making it a valuable addition to the middle of a border. It is a tough plant, and, like other coneflowers, is long-flowering and will cope well with adverse weather conditions, except drought. Try it dotted through the middle of a sunny, mixed border or in bold drifts among grasses where it will extend the season of interest. It is attractive to bees and butterflies, and birds will flock to the seedheads.
HEIGHT: 70 - 100cm
SITE: full sun or part shade
FLOWERING MONTHS: June to October
SOW UNDER COVER/PLANT INDOORS: March to April or August
SOW DIRECT/PLANT OUTDOORS: May to July
CARE TIPS: Deadhead to encourage further flowers.
Garden Care
Sow seeds in late winter to spring or in late summer to autumn. Echinacea will flower in 11 to 15 weeks so if started indoors early enough, it is possible to get flowers in the first season.
If starting indoors, sow at 20 to 24°C. Fill pots or trays with a good seed starting mix. Moisten by standing the pots in water, then drain. Surface sow the seed and press lightly into the soil. Seeds need light to germinate, so don't cover the seeds or use only a light sprinkling of vermiculite. The compost should be kept moist but not wet at all times. Germination may start after only 5 days but may take up to 20 days. Prick out each seedling as it becomes large enough to handle, transplant into 7.5cm pots or trays to grow on. Plant them out in Spring into well drained soil. Gradually acclimatise to outdoor conditions for 10 to 15 days before planting out.
In their natural environment, the seeds would germinate after a period of cold, so if there is little or no germination move the tray to a cold area: at around 4°C for 2 to 4 weeks. Once you have picked out the remaining seedlings place the tray outdoors in a sheltered area for the winter. Come back to it in Spring where more seedlings may await!
