How hardy is echinacea?

[sherpa]

Hi all,

Last year I sowed echinacea in pots and this year they have flowered, soooo happy. anyway I only did a few as an experiment and put the pots in the greenhouse over winter, they had died down. I have sowed some more in the hope to transplant them in the garden so they come and go every year. Will this be possible? or will the frost kill them off completely, will I have to keep them in pots bringing them in every year?

Thanks.

[scarey55]

Last year I started some off in modules and planted them out wherever I had a space in the garden. They didn't seem to come to much but I just left them where they were and this year they came up and are sooo beautiful. I am hoping to plant some more next year.

[digthatchick]

Echinacea are fully hardy, they prefer sun and humus rich but well drained soil.

If you have them growing already, propagate them by digging them up in the spring and dividing them.

[sherpa]

Thank you, I have never propagated by dividing before so will give that ago in the spring.

[sherpa]

also how do you know if your soil is humus rich? and if it's not how do you make it humus rich?

[Alison]

However if you have heavy soil then they'll rot and not come back again the following year as I found out a few years ago!

[digthatchick]

However if you have heavy soil then they'll rot and not come back again the following year as I found out a few years ago!

Very true, that is why I say well drained soil. In heavy soil drainage can be improved by digging in grit and organic matter.

[digthatchick]

also how do you know if your soil is humus rich? and if it's not how do you make it humus rich?

Dig in plenty of organic matter (home made compost is best)

[roitelet]

Mine survived -19C this year and are in full flower now. They are in a well drained position in full sun.

Think you could call them hardy

[selfraising]

Mine are planted in clay soil but I have mixed in plenty of grit. They survived the winter very well and are looking lovely.

[rustylady]

Echinacea are hardy perennials. Best planted in open ground. The top growth dies back in autumn and you can't see anything till spring when they start growing again.

[srodders]

Just watch out for the slugs a well - they finished off a few of mine

[Graham S]

If you do grow them in pots , treat for vine weevil as they find Echinacea roots very tasty!!!