Echinacea

How to grow Echinacea in the garden

Starting from a seedling or potted plant:

1. Choose a position in full sun with well-drained soil.
2. Enrich the soil with Yates Thrive Natural Blood & Bone with Seaweed.
3. When planting into prepared garden bed, ensure seedlings/plants are well spaced – at least 40 to 50cm apart.
4. Dig the planting hole twice as wide and to the same depth as the root-ball. Remove the plant from the container. Position in hole and backfill, gently firming down. Form a raised ring around the plant, creating a well so that water will go where it’s needed most. Water in well.
5. Water in gently and keep soil moderately moist at all times.
6. Mulch with an organic mulch such as bark chips, woodchip or pea straw to a depth of 5 - 8cm, keeping it away from the base of the plant.
7. Feed with Yates Thrive Rose & Flower Granular Plant Food. TIP: for an added boost, apply Yates Thrive Roses & Flowers Liquid Plant Food.

Starting from seed:

• Fill starter pots or trays with Yates Black Magic Seed Raising Mix. Sow seeds, lightly cover with mix, firm down and gently water in well. Keep moist at all times and place in a warm and sheltered position until seedlings have grown to 5 cm tall, then plant into the garden.
• Alternatively, sow direct where they are to grow in rows or in scattered clumps around the garden. Cover with a 6mm layer of Yates Black Magic Seed Raising Mix. Lightly firm down and keep moist. Just be sure to enrich the soil with Yates Thrive Natural Blood & Bone with Seaweed prior to sowing. 

How to grow Echinacea in a pot

Starting from a seedling or potted plant:

1. Choose a pot at least 200mm wide with adequate drainage holes.
2. Position pot in full sun.
3. Fill the pot with a quality potting mix such as Yates Premium Potting Mix.
4. Remove the seedling/plant from the container. Position in hole and backfill, gently firming down.
5. Water in gently and keep mix moderately moist at all times.
6. Feed with Yates Thrive Roses & Flowers Liquid Plant Food. TIP: for an added boost, apply Yates Thrive Natural Fish & Seaweed+ Plant Food Concentrate.

Starting from seed:

• Fill starter pots or trays with Yates Black Magic Seed Raising Mix. Sow seeds, lightly cover with mix, firm down and gently water in well. Keep moist at all times and place in a warm and sheltered position until seedlings have grown to 5 cm tall, then plant into the pot.
• Alternatively, sow directly into the pot where they are to grow. Cover with a 6mm layer of Yates Black Magic Seed Raising Mix. Lightly firm down and keep moist.

Growing tips

• Other varieties such as E. augustifolia require stratification prior to sowing. This process can also be performed for E. purpurea, however it is not necessary to enable germination to occur. If you do wish to stratify the seeds, place the seeds into a mix of moist vermiculite and seal in a sandwich bag or plastic bag and place in the fridge. Leave for 2-3 weeks, then sow as directed.

• Water at the base of the plant to limit exposure and risk of fungal diseases.

• Great for dry gardens, as they can tolerate dry periods once established.

• To make Echinacea tea:
  - Add 1 teaspoon of finely cut leaves to 1 cup of boiling water
  - Let stand for 5 minutes, strain and cool.
  - N.B. Do not ingest the tea when pregnant or breast feeding.