Hi all. I've had fun n games with echinaceas over recent years. It's mainly been about the new varieties, the spectacularly colourful ones that have been rushed out by the suppliers. However, I've learned how to grow them now. They need to establish good root systems before they flower. I cut off early flower stems, similar to the Chelsea chop I guess, in late spring. I ensure they do not go dry. (because they are "prairie" plants I used to assume they liked dry conditions but not so). I water well in spring, mulch and feed, and keep them free from competition from other plants...they don't like being crowded out. I either keep them outside or dig them up to overwinter in good-size pots. I grow Tiki Torch, marmalade, hot Papya and others and last year they were superb, flowering from mid summer to now. Some new varieties are weak, Arts Pride and Harvest Moon for example, and seem not be perennial at all. I would not plant any echinacea in the autumn though, so nutcutlet, I would dig yours up and keep in greenhouse til spring
