Echinacea

Echinacea seeds are easy to grow, bold perennials, also commonly known as coneflowers. They have daisy-like petals in bright colours on sturdy green stems and have a slight cone shape. Great for attracting wildlife to the garden, such as bees, butterflies and beneficial insects. Echinaceas can be planted in beds, borders or containers, but they look best when planted with other perennial plants and grasses.
Sow Echinacea seeds in full sun as they don't like like the shade, and in well-drained soil. Sow inside in trays or pots and place on a windowsill, or keep in a greenhouse at 18-21°C. Cover seeds with a fine sprinkle of vermiculite. Germination can take 2-4 weeks. Once the seedlings are large enough to handle, they can be transplanted. Acclimatise them to the weather 10-15 days before planting out, at 30-60cm spacings, depending on the variety. They will flower late summer from June to September. The plants will grow taller in the second year.