Grow one of the most iconic plants of the traditional herb garden.

Echinacea Angustifolia is a hardy perennial prairie wildflower, treasured for its elegant pink-purple daisy-like flowers, narrow lance-shaped foliage and long history in North American herbal traditions. Flowering throughout summer, it creates a striking display while attracting bees, butterflies and other beneficial pollinators to the garden.

✔ Why Grow It?

Traditional North American prairie wildflower
Elegant pink-purple daisy-like flowers
Long flowering season during summer
Excellent for pollinators and wildlife gardens
Hardy perennial that returns each year
Ideal for cottage gardens, prairie planting and herb gardens
Easy to grow in full sun and well-drained soil

Echinacea angustifolia is a beautiful choice for gardeners looking for a UK-hardy, easy to grow perennial with traditional herbal heritage. It works well in cottage garden planting, prairie-style schemes and wildlife-friendly borders.

Botanical name: Echinacea angustifolia

Common name: Narrow-leaved Coneflower

Usually available: Spring–Autumn

Life cycle: Hardy herbaceous perennial

Flowering period: June–September

Flower colour: Pink to purple with prominent bronze-orange central cones

Height: Approximately 45–75cm

Spread: Approximately 30–45cm

Position: Full sun

Soil: Well-drained, moderately fertile soil

Soil pH: Neutral to slightly alkaline

Foliage: Narrow green lance-shaped leaves

Growth rate: Moderate

Hardiness: Fully hardy throughout most of the UK

Suitable for containers: Yes, in deep containers with excellent drainage

Suitable for beginners: Very good

Pollinator value: Highly attractive to bees, butterflies and other beneficial insects throughout summer.

Planting

Location: Choose a sunny position receiving at least six hours of direct sunlight daily.

Planting time: Plant from spring until early autumn while soil conditions remain suitable.

Spacing: Allow approximately 30–45cm between plants.

Containers: Use deep pots with free-draining compost and good drainage holes.

Care

Watering: Water regularly while establishing. Once mature, plants become relatively drought tolerant and prefer well-drained conditions.

Feeding: Apply a light mulch of compost in spring. Avoid excessive feeding, which can produce lush foliage at the expense of flowering.

Pruning: Remove faded flower heads to encourage additional blooms or leave some seed heads over winter for wildlife and seasonal interest. Cut old stems back in late winter or early spring.

Harvesting & Storage

Harvesting: Harvest flowers or roots only from mature, well-established plants and only when correctly identified.

Drying: Flowers and roots intended for educational or historical study should be dried slowly in a warm, airy location away from direct sunlight.

Storage: Store fully dried plant material in airtight, clearly labelled containers in a cool, dry place.

UK Growing Conditions

Echinacea angustifolia grows well throughout much of the UK in sunny, well-drained locations. It performs particularly well in lighter soils and tolerates dry summers once established. Avoid heavy, waterlogged ground during winter.

Uses & Benefits

Traditional Uses

Echinacea angustifolia has a long history of traditional use by Indigenous peoples of North America and was later adopted into Western herbal traditions. It has been cultivated in medicinal and physic gardens for generations because of this rich cultural heritage.

Please note: Traditional uses are included for historical and educational interest only and are not intended as medical advice.

Wildlife & Garden Benefits

The nectar-rich flowers attract bees, butterflies and other pollinating insects throughout summer. Seed heads left standing into autumn provide architectural interest and may also offer food for wild birds, making this an excellent choice for wildlife-friendly gardens.

Plants: Plants are carefully packed and normally dispatched within 2–4 working days. Some plants may be delivered at the most appropriate time for planting or potting on.

Seeds and garden supplies: Seeds and garden supplies are normally dispatched within 2–4 working days., Mondays -Thursday.

Seasonal items: Bulbs, bare-root plants, trees and other seasonal products may be dispatched at the appropriate planting time to support successful establishment.