Coneflower

Echinacea purpurea Kim's Knee High

• Position: full sun
• Soil: any soil type except boggy
• Rate of growth: average
• Flowering period: June to September
• Hardiness: fully hardy
  
  This echinacea is particularly striking because of the deep pink petals that are so reflexed that they look as if they have been through a windtunnel. The prominent centre of the daisy-like flowers is orange-brown. It's a compact variety that is a relative to 'Kim's Mop Head'. Like other coneflowers, it is long-flowering and will cope well with adverse weather conditions, except drought. Try it dotted through the middle of a sunny, mixed border or in bold drifts among grasses where it will extend the season of interest. It is attractive to bees and butterflies, and birds will flock to the seedheads.

• Garden care: Lift and divide congested colonies in autumn or spring. In autumn cut back all dead flower stems to the ground. Coneflowers benefit from a spring or autumn mulch with well-rotted compost.

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