Alternatively, you can grow echinacea from seed, but don't expect flowers in the first season. Native to the American prairies, echinacea can grow two to three feet tall. It will grow in poor soil, but thrives in a fertile, well-drained spot. The stout bristly stem supports leaves that taper at both ends. Each stem bears a flower with 12 to 20 pinkish purple rays surrounding an orange-brown conical disk.
White varieties are also available.
Echinacea will bloom from June to October depending on location and conditions. The dead flowers add interesting texture to the winter garden and will set seeds for new plants. Remove the dead flower heads if you want to prevent reseeding. Every four or five years your echinacea plant will probably have to be divided. The best time to split a large plant into two is after it has flowered.