My favourite plant in the garden at the moment is our echinacea. I almost relocated (polite way of saying pull it up and stuff it somewhere in the back garden) it a few months ago but I’m glad I didn’t because after a ropey start it’s looking amazing. Three years after planting, I think it has finally settled in.
I’m amazed by the middle. The florets (spikes) are actually tiny tubes filled with nectar. We’ve planted it next to our Buddleia Sungold to make a bee and butterfly buffet!
I was focusing in on this cone when a butterfly landed right in front of me.
I’d really like to pick a few of these for the house but we only have six or seven flowers; they are pretty big though. Also they are a really good food source for pollinators and they probably need these flowers more than my coffee table does.
so beautiful Gemma! i started loving echinacea after i was introduced to it at my mother in law’s garden. she always has them in front of her kitchen along with flocks, bee balm and lilies. the butterflies and hummingbirds love them!
Sounds lovely! We don’t attract anything as exotic as a hummingbird 🙂
They look fabulous, mine have been attacked by slugs this year, not sure we will get any flowers ?
Maybe your plant will have a second wind. Get Graham out on slug patrol…
I haven’t seen any this year but I do love echinaceas. Not only for their size and how boldly they stand out from other plants but also because they bees and butterflies love them.
Yes — I had no idea they would get so tall. I bought the plant when it was about 10cm tall and they are almost as tall as me.
I’VE NEVER FOUND ECHINACEAS TO MAKE GOOD CUT FOWERS, THEY DROP PETALS AND POLLEN TOO QUICKLY
I didn’t think about the pollen dropping everywhere — I’ll remember that. Thanks!