Echinacea pallida Pale Purple Coneflower

The plants are useful drought-resistant, perennial flowers that thrive in full hot sun and average to humus-rich soil. With tall slender stems topped with large daisy-like flowers and drooping purple-pink petals it make it an excellent flower for the border or cutting garden.

Pale Purple Coneflower plants bloom earlier (late June to late July) than most Echinacea and will continue to bloom sporadically through the autumn months. They have much longer, ray flowers than those of the more familiar purple coneflower, they are also a paler shade of purple (hence the name), more of a purplish rose.

When the flowers first appear the disk is flattened occasionally concave, but as the flowering progresses it becomes conical in shape. The brown fruiting heads are conical, chaffy, stiff and wiry.

The nectar is enjoyed by butterflies and its seeds are a favourite food source for small birds such as goldfinches. Plant in a rock garden, butterfly garden, or naturalise in a prairie meadow.

Hardy Perennial

An improved strain of this popular American wildflower! These superb coneflowers form low growing clumps of leaves from which the sturdy flower stems launch upwards with their large, rose-pink daisies. Unlike many varieties, the petals of Echinacea purpurea 'Primadonna' radiate outwards instead of downwards from a deep orange-brown central cone. With a compact, branching habit, this fabulous variety makes a lovely addition to borders and wildlife gardens where it will attract butterflies and other pollinating insects. Height: 85cm (33"). Spread: 45cm (18").

• Ideal For: Cottage Gardens, Wildlife Gardens, Cut Flower Garden, Coastal Garden and Borders.

• Flowering Period: July, August, September

• Position: full sun

• Hardiness: Hardy

Sow :January-June for flowering in pot from July onwards, limited flowering without vernalization, during with vernalization full flowering in next year

Sowing method: 2-3 seeds per plug

Germination: 10-14 days at 68-72 °F (20-22 °C). Supplemental lighting during germination speeds germination and uniformity of emergence. Keep seedlings uniformly moist, but do not over water

Growing On: Transplant seedlings into packs, 4" (10 cm) or 1.0 gallon containers (2-3 plants) when the 3rd pair of true leaves appears. Once plants have begun rooting out, grow on at temperatures of 50-55 °F (10-13 °C). Fertilize at 100-200 ppm calcium nitrate in a balanced formula on a weekly basis. For full gallon containers plant 3-5 plugs per pot.

Media: Use a well-drained, growing perennial substrate, pH: 6.0-6.5. Field: loamy sandy to sandy humus soils with good drainage. Standard fertilization: 80-100 g/m² slow release fertilizer.

Temperature: Grow at 15-18 °C or outdoors. In winter indoors frost free at 3-5 °C or outdoors. At mid December the plants start to grow for 10-12 weeks at 15-18 °C.

Fertilization: High fertilization levels are required.

Suitable for the Cottage Gardens, Wildlife Gardens, Cut Flower Garden, Coastal Garden, Borders, allotments and containers.
Be prepared to water well and supplement feed with high-potash feed during season. Regular feeding is recommended.