A gardening expert has urged all green-thumbed homeowners to plant one tall flower in their borders before March ends to add colour and attract pollinators
You should plant one specific flower in your garden by the end of this month (stock photo)(Image: Guido Mieth via Getty Images)
Calling all gardening enthusiasts – you’ve got just over a week remaining to get this border-defining flower into the ground. We’re already past the halfway point of March, and if you’re a dedicated gardener, you’ve likely spent recent weekends getting your outdoor space shipshape ahead of spring and summer, when most plants burst into bloom.
Choosing which plants to grow can be a tricky business, as you need to consider not only your soil type and how much sunlight your garden receives, but also the varying heights of plants and flowers to create depth and variety in your flowerbeds and borders.
While there’s no shortage of low-growing flowers and plants to choose from, if you’re after something to anchor the back of a flowerbed and lend some height to your display, one horticultural expert claims there’s only one plant worth considering – the echinacea.
Also known as the coneflower, echinaceas can grow up to a metre tall and spread to around 60cm wide. They also come in striking colours, including pink and red, making them an absolute showstopper.
Gardener Ish says March is the perfect time to plant echinaceas – urging you to act quickly and get them in the ground within the next few days to avoid missing this golden opportunity.
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He explained in a TikTok video: “Today I’m going to be adding some height and drama into my borders with some echinaceas. Whether you’ve got them in full sun or partial shade, echinaceas will absolutely thrive and can reach heights of up to a metre. Place them somewhere with well-drained soil, and they’ll continue to thrive and give you a burst of colour throughout the seasons.”
Ish revealed he would be planting his flowers in containers instead of directly into the soil, as this gives him better control over drainage. That said, he explained he would place the pots at the back of his border so other plants would hide them, whilst the gradual height difference would look “dramatic.”
The gardening enthusiast bought his echinaceas from Morrisons, where he pointed out they’re available as bare roots ready for planting straight into the ground. He also described the plants as “budget-friendly”, having spent just £2 for three.
He added: “They look like little tiny roots with a bit on top. You want to make sure that pointed bit is pointing up – that’s the important part. Ideally, you want to plant these about four inches below the ground. Spread the roots out and lay them in the soil, and then just cover.”
According to Gardener’s World, echinacea should be sown between March and April, and planted between May and June. The plant then flowers throughout the entire summer from June until September.
Echinaceas are described as “easy to grow” since they tolerate most soil types apart from very dry conditions, and their sturdy stems mean staking isn’t necessary, despite reaching considerable heights. The flowers are exceptionally attractive to pollinators. Attracting bees to your garden with blooms they love is beneficial anyway, but if you’re growing fruit or vegetables this year, you’ll be especially thankful for these pollinating insects.
How to grow echinaceas
1. Choose the Right Location
Sunlight: Echinaceas thrive in full sun (at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily).Soil: Well-drained soil is essential. They tolerate poor to average soil but dislike soggy conditions.
2. Planting
From Seed: Sow seeds indoors 8–10 weeks before the last frost, or sow outdoors in early spring or fall. Lightly cover seeds with soil; they need some light to germinate.From Plants: Purchase young plants or divisions from a nursery. Space them 18–24 inches apart.
3. Watering
Water regularly during the first growing season to establish strong roots.Once established, echinaceas are drought-tolerant and only need occasional watering.
5. Maintenance
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Deadheading: Remove spent flowers to encourage more blooms, but leave some at the end of the season for birds.Dividing: Every 3–4 years, divide clumps in early spring or fall to prevent overcrowding and promote vigour.Mulching: Apply a thin layer of mulch to conserve moisture and suppress weeds, but don’t pile it against the stems.
Echinaceas don’t require much fertiliser, but if your soil quality is poor, you can add some compost in the spring. They are also relatively pest- and disease-resistant, and should only be treated if necessary.
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