Echinacea Pallida

Position: full sunSoil: most soils, except very dry or boggyRate of growth: average Flowering period: July to SeptemberHardiness: fully hardy

Large, pale pink, daisy-like flowers with prominent, burnt orange centres appear from July to September. This lovely coneflower grows wild in the North American prairies and glades but looks just as at home in the garden border. The unusual, reflexed petals are much more slender than those of the more common Echinacea purpurea, making it an unusual cut flower. It’s a tough plant that does not need staking, and, like other coneflowers, it is long-flowering and will cope well with adverse weather conditions, except drought. Try it dotted through a sunny 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.

Garden care: Lift and divide congested colonies in autumn or spring. In autumn cut back all dead flower stems to the ground. Coneflowers benefit from a spring or autumn mulch with well-rotted compost.