A prairie-garden classic which has been adapted in many ways to produce blooms of various shapes and colours to suit any style. Echinacea, also known as Coneflower, thrives in a full-sun position and moist but well-drained soil. Once established it is fairly drought tolerant and will work just as well in gravel gardens as it does in a border. The nectar-rich flowers of Echinacea will attract pollinators like bees and butterflies, and their architectural seed heads provide interest for the autumn and winter garden. Many varieties have long-rigid stems which also makes them a popular choice for growing as cut flowers. They'll become low maintenance staples of the garden over the time but will need nurturing in the first year, getting them started correctly is essential - here's what to do:

How to plant:

— Plant as soon as possible after delivery. Echinacea are supplied as bare roots in spring and as 9cm root ball plants in autumn. In both cases they should be planted very soon after delivery, ideally within a week. If you can't plant them straight away on arrival, soak bare roots in a bowl of water outside and plant within a few days. Root balls will need light and moisture immediately and can be placed in a dish of water outside and planted within a week.

— For bare roots, soak in water for 3-6 hours before planting, then pot up into 2 litre (or 15-20cm diameter) pots using a good quality multipurpose compost. Plant with the roots submerged and with the top of the root system just level with the soil surface. Buds should be visible at the top of the root system and they should be level with the soil surface. If supplied later in spring, any shoots or leaves which have emerged already should be left exposed above the soil surface.

— Water-in after planting and continue to water regularly whenever the top 3-5cm of soil feels dry, particularly during the first year.

— Grow on Echinacea bare roots in a sheltered spot outdoors in their pots during spring, this will give them an easy start and then they can be transferred into a border later in the season once the plant is more established with a stronger root system. The plant will be ready to transfer once roots begin to emerge from the drainage holes in the bottom of the pot.

— Echinacea supplied as 9cm root ball plants in autumn can often be planted directly into a clear space in a border, providing the soil is good quality, crumbly and free draining. Avoid planting them directly into challenging soil types such as clay or dry, sandy soil, or a space which will become over-crowded by more established plants later in the season - new plants will struggle to compete and could fail as a result. To protect your new plant over winter and give it the best start, it is recommended to pot up 9cm root ball Echinacea into a 15-20cm pot with multipurpose compost and grow it on first, then transfer to the border when it looks like it is starting to outgrow its pot. This is a necessary step if your soil type or garden growing conditions are more challenging.

— Whether potting first or planting direct, plant 9cm root ball so that the root system is fully submerged in the soil with young shoots/leaves left exposed above the soil surface. Water well after planting.

— When planting Echinacea plants into a border, choose a sunny position with rich, free-draining soil and space the plants 15-20cm apart if planting a group. Add multipurpose compost to each planting hole to help the new roots grow.

— Keep a close eye on your new plantings for pest damage and keep space clear around the young plant, removing weeds and also excess growth from neighbouring plants to reduce competition. Ensure the soil remains slightly moist around new plants during the first growing season.

— This perennial is hardy and does not require winter protection in areas with mild winters. In colder areas, it is recommended to apply mulch around Echinaceas to help protect them from severe weather, particularly while they’re still young.

Aftercare

— Deadhead Echinacea or regularly cut the flowers to encourage more to grow.

— In autumn, Echinacea will naturally fully die back. At that point, you can cut it right back to around 5cm above ground level and it will remain dormant for winter. The following spring, new growth will start to emerge.

— Echinacea should be planted at a spacing of at least 20cm apart from each other when planting in groups and take 1-2 years to establish. They do not always flower in the first year.

— Echinacea is a clump-forming perennial which grows back larger and with more stems each year.

— You can divide established Echinacea clumps between autumn and early spring when needed.

Read further general instructions about planting bare-root perennials