Caring for Purple Coneflower

Echinacea is a low-maintenance perennial once established, with modest water and nutrient needs. Water newly planted specimens regularly through their first growing season, but after that you can rely largely on rainfall. The plant's deep taproot makes it highly drought-tolerant, and overwatering—especially in heavy soil—is more harmful than neglect. In prolonged dry spells during summer, a thorough soak every couple of weeks is sufficient; avoid frequent shallow watering, which encourages shallow rooting. Feed once a year in March with a general-purpose granular fertiliser such as blood, fish, and bone or Growmore, scattered around the base at the rate recommended on the packet. Echinacea does not need rich soil and excessive nitrogen produces lush foliage at the expense of flowers. A light spring feed and an annual mulch of garden compost are all that is required to keep plants healthy. Purple coneflower is fully hardy across temperate Europe (zone 3a–9a) and needs no winter protection. Leave the stems standing after flowering finishes if you wish to enjoy the seed heads and provide food for birds, or cut them down in autumn if you prefer a tidy border. Pests are rarely a problem, but watch for vine weevil larvae in container-grown plants; they chew roots and can kill young specimens. Powdery mildew may appear on leaves in late summer, especially in dry conditions or crowded plantings—improve spacing and air flow, and remove affected foliage. Slugs occasionally nibble emerging shoots in spring; use your preferred control method if damage is severe.