Echinacea 'Butterfly Kisses'

As if Echinacea 'Butterfly Kisses' wasn’t pretty enough, you’ll also find they draw in a rather fancy (and very willing) embellishment of butterflies during the summer months. With bountiful nectar-rich blooms, these powder-puff-like coneflowers are real butterfly magnets and will of course receive plenty of attention from other pollinators too. A ring of downward-facing outer petals are topped with a tufty dome of pink and green-tinged inner petals which surround the central cone. The overall effect of all these extra petals is fluffy pompon-like flowers which are not only adorable to admire up close but also make a good impact from afar.

Another great characteristic of Echinacea 'Butterfly Kisses' is its resilient, undemanding nature. They’re fully hardy through winter and once they’re settled they require very little in terms of maintenance. Each year, they spread a little and eventually form a good clump which will produce multiple flower stems. With long, strong stems and fascinating flowers, they’re excellent for cutting to use in indoor arrangements too.

Plant Echinacea 'Butterfly Kisses' in a spot in sun where it can easily be seen. Note that it is around 45cm tall and will bush out as it gradually forms a wider clump over the years. It’s a gem in a mixed border with other summer flowering perennials and easily combines with most colours. You can create a really bright display, or go for a more muted, hazy look by planting these coneflowers with ornamental grasses.