Rode zonnehoed

Echinacea purpurea

Engels: Coneflower

perennialAsteraceaeEetbaar

Rode zonnehoed (Echinacea purpurea) is a edible perennial from the Asteraceae family that grows up to 120cm tall. This plant thrives in full sun and requires low maintenance. Blooms in summer and late summer with pink, purple flowers and attracts bees and butterflies and birds.

Hoogte

60–120 cm

Breedte

30–50 cm

Zonligging

full sun

Waterbehoefte

low water needs

Grondsoort

loam, sandy soil

Onderhoud

low maintenance

Bloeitijd

summer, late summer

Bloemkleuren

pink, purple

Ecologische waarde

Trekt bijen aan

🦋 Trekt vlinders aan

Trekt vogels aan

Verzorgingskalender

Taak	Jan	Feb	Mrt	Apr	Mei	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Okt	Nov	Dec
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💧Bemesten

Care tips

Planting

Coneflowers thrive in full sun and well-drained soil, making them ideal for sunny borders, gravel gardens, and prairie-style plantings. They tolerate both loam and sandy soils but will sulk in heavy clay that stays wet. Before planting, dig over the soil and incorporate some grit or horticultural sand if drainage is poor. There's no need to add rich compost—coneflowers actually perform better in moderately fertile soil, producing sturdier stems and more flowers. Plant container-grown coneflowers in March, April, May, or September. Dig a hole slightly larger than the root ball, set the plant at the same depth it was growing in its pot, and firm the soil gently around the roots. Space plants 45 cm apart to allow good air circulation and room for clumps to expand. If you're planting multiple coneflowers, stagger them in drifts of three or five for a natural effect. Water thoroughly after planting to settle the roots, then water regularly for the first six to eight weeks until the plants are established. After that, coneflowers are remarkably drought-tolerant and rarely need supplementary watering except in prolonged dry spells. Apply a 5 cm layer of mulch around the base of each plant to suppress weeds and retain moisture, but keep the mulch a few centimetres away from the crown to prevent rot. Staking is not usually necessary if plants are grown in full sun with adequate spacing, though very tall varieties on exposed sites may benefit from discreet support with twiggy pea sticks in late spring.

Pruning

Coneflowers require minimal pruning, but a tidy-up in March will keep plants vigorous and looking their best. Cut back all the previous year's dead stems to ground level before new growth emerges. Use clean, sharp secateurs or garden shears and remove the stems close to the crown without damaging the emerging shoots. This is also a good moment to clear away any remaining seed heads and old foliage that may harbour pests or disease. During the flowering season—from mid-summer into early autumn—deadheading is optional and depends on your priorities. Removing spent blooms as they fade encourages a few more flowers and keeps plants looking tidy, but many gardeners prefer to leave the seed heads intact. The dried cones are highly attractive to goldfinches and other seed-eating birds, and they provide valuable winter interest with their sculptural silhouettes and frost-rimmed centres. If you do deadhead, snip the stem back to the next side bud or leaf joint rather than just removing the flower head. If your coneflowers have become congested or are flowering less freely, divide the clumps in March rather than pruning. Lift the whole plant with a fork, tease or cut the root ball into sections with at least three strong shoots each, and replant immediately. This rejuvenates older plants and gives you extras to spread around the garden. Avoid autumn division—coneflowers establish far better when divided in early spring, just as growth resumes.

Maintenance

Once established, coneflowers are exceptionally low-maintenance and cope well with neglect. Water only during prolonged dry spells in summer, giving plants a thorough soak every ten to fourteen days rather than frequent light sprinkles. Overwatering or poorly drained soil is far more likely to cause problems than drought, leading to root rot and weak, floppy growth. Feed sparingly. In April, scatter a handful of general-purpose granular fertiliser such as blood, fish and bone or Growmore around each plant and lightly fork it into the soil surface. Avoid high-nitrogen feeds, which produce lush foliage at the expense of flowers and make plants more prone to mildew. One spring feed is sufficient for the entire season—coneflowers grown in rich soil may not need feeding at all. Coneflowers are fully hardy throughout temperate Europe (zone 3a–9b) and need no winter protection. Leave the seed heads standing through autumn and winter for the birds, then cut back in March. Mulch lightly in late autumn if desired, but it's not essential. The main pest to watch for is the coneflower leaf miner, a small fly whose larvae tunnel through leaves, leaving pale, winding trails. Remove and destroy affected foliage promptly. Powdery mildew can appear in late summer, especially in dry conditions or crowded plantings—improve air circulation and avoid overhead watering. Slugs occasionally nibble young spring growth; use your preferred control method if damage is severe. Otherwise, coneflowers are remarkably trouble-free and will reward you with months of nectar-rich flowers and year-round structure.