12 of the best echinaceas to grow

Echinaceas can be grown in pots and containers, too – take a look at this colourful late-summer pot for inspiration.

Check out 12 gorgeous echinaceas to try growing in your own plot, below.

Echinacea 'Magnus'

Echinacea purpurea 'Magnus' has rich purple-pink flowers. The large petals held on a more horizontal plane compared to the parent species, where the petals have a more swept back appearance, particularly as they mature. H x S 75cm x 45cm.

Echinacea 'White Swan'

'White Swan' is a lovely cultivar with pure white petals and a golden-yellow centres. Having white blooms, it's quite easy to combine this variety with plants of any colour. H x S 60cm x 45cm.

Echinacea 'Art's Pride'

The warm butternut tones of 'Art's Pride' combined with the narrow petals make this a striking variety. To top it all, the flowers have a light fragrance. H x S 60cm x 60cm.

Echinacea 'Sombrero Salsa Red'

'Sombrero Salsa Red' is part of the 'Sombrero' series, all of which are compact in habit, have large flowers and broad outer petals. 'Sombrero Salsa Red' has rich red petals complemented by chestnut brown centres. H x S 50cm x 60cm.

Echinacea 'Southern Belle'

'Southern Belle' is a double variety, with a ruffled centre and skirt-like outer ray florets. As the flowers mature, the ruffled centre gets larger and more dramatic. Makes a lovely cut flower. H x S 50cm x 50cm.

Echinacea 'Golden Skipper'

'Golden Skipper' is a compact variety with blooms that are a rich yellow colour. This fast-grower is good if you're looking to fill a gap in a hurry. H x S 45cm x 45cm.

Echinacea 'Milkshake'

Echinacea 'Milkshake' is a gorgeous double cultivar with creamy coloured blooms. New flowers have an orange centre that fades away as the flower matures. Perfect for the middle of the border. H x S 70cm x 50cm.

Echinacea 'Sunset'

If you're after a more subtle cultivar, consider 'Sunset'. It's part of the 'Big Sky' series, which consists of a series of crosses between Echinacea purpurea and Echinacea paradoxa. The flowers are an understated dusky red, which gradually fades as they mature. H x S 100cm x 60cm.

Echinacea 'Irresistible'

A double variety with eye-catching pink-orange flowers. 'Irresistible' is a compact variety, perfect for lacing through other plants towards the middle and front of borders. H x S 60cm x 45cm.

Echinacea 'Hot Lava'

'Hot Lava' has blazing red blooms, ideally suited to a hot border. Try combining with plants like heleniums and kniphofias, or check out our feature on plants for a hot border for more ideas. H x S 80cm x 40cm.

Echinacea 'Mooodz Awake'

This pink-flowered cultivar is compact and fast-growing with bright, magenta blooms. Like most echinaceas, the flowers have sturdy stems that shouldn't require additional support. H x S 50cm x 45cm.

Echinacea 'Rainbow Marcella'

'Rainbow Marcella' echinaceas have vibrant, lava-coloured flowers that fade to a dusky raspberry as they mature. Discover more plants with orange flowers to grow. H x S 45cm x 60cm.

Species echinaceas to grow

• Echinacea pallida – a delicate looking species with narrow, pale-pink ray florets with a swept back appearance
• Echinacea paradoxa – similar to rudbeckias, with a chocolate-brown centre and bright yellow ray florets
• Echinacea purpurea – the species from which most modern cultivars originate
• Echinacea simulata – the glade purple coneflower has a warm brown cone surrounded by graceful, pale-pink ray florets