Echinacea 'Julia'

Echinaceas, or coneflowers, are tall herbaceous perennials with large, cone-shaped flowers. They have grown in popularity in recent years, thanks to the trend for prairie-style planting. They also work well in cottage gardens and more formal herbaceous borders and are especially useful in wildlife gardens, as they are attractive to bees and other pollinators.

Echinacea 'Julia' is a relatively new variety, named after the 'Julia' butterfly, a European species. It's a compact, bushy plant with large, slightly drooping flowers. The tangerine-coloured petals lighten to a golden orange as they age.

Grow Echinacea 'Julia' in groups or drifts the front or middle of the border, or in large containers. All echinaceas are easy to grow as they tolerate most soils. They like a sunny position. Their sturdy nature means that they don't need staking.