Purple Coneflower 'Bravado' Seeds

'Bravado' is a superior selection of the classic Purple Coneflower. Unlike the wild species, which often has drooping petals, 'Bravado' holds its rosy-purple petals out horizontally like a flat daisy, creating a much larger, fuller display around the prominent, coppery-orange central cone.

This plant is the backbone of the summer garden. It stands tall on sturdy stems that never need staking, providing structure, colour, and a landing pad for butterflies from mid-summer right through to the first frosts. It brings a relaxed, "prairie" feel to any flower bed.

Why Your Garden Needs 'Bravado'

I love this plant for its dual personality. In summer, it is a colourful nectar bar for bees and butterflies. In winter, if you leave the seed heads standing, the blackened cones become a sculptural feature and a vital food source for Goldfinches and other garden birds.

It is also one of the longest-lasting cut flowers you can grow. The stems are stiff and strong, and the flowers last for up to two weeks in water. Even the petals stripped off, the orange cones make fascinating additions to bouquets.

Understanding the Plant: What is a Hardy Perennial?

Echinacea 'Bravado' is a robust Hardy Perennial.

It dies back to the ground in winter and returns with vigour every spring.
The Long Game: Echinacea can be slow to establish. It may not flower much in its first year from seed, but by year two and three, it will form a magnificent, large clump that lasts for years.
Top Tip: Be patient in spring! Echinacea is often the last perennial to wake up. Don't panic if you don't see green shoots until late April or May—it is just sleeping in.

Growing Guide: How to Sow and Grow

Echinacea seeds can be erratic, but 'Bravado' is one of the easier strains to grow.

🌱 Germination:
Sow indoors from January to April. Sow seeds on the surface of compost and cover very lightly with vermiculite (they need a little light). Keep at 20°C. Germination varies from 10 to 30 days. If nothing happens after 3 weeks, move the tray to the fridge for a week (cold stratification) then back to the warmth.

Where to Sow:
They demand full sun. They prefer deep, well-drained soil. They are drought tolerant once their deep taproots are established, but they hate winter waterlogging.

Care While Growing:
Protect young seedlings from slugs! Once the plants are mature, their rough, hairy leaves make them fairly slug-resistant. Mulch around the crown in autumn to protect it from extreme cold.

Plant Specifications

Here is a quick reference guide to the key features.

My Recommended Garden Companions

'Bravado' is the anchor of the "Prairie Garden." Pair it with grasses and hot colours for a professional look:

• 🔥 Rudbeckia 'Autumn Forest': The perfect cousin. The golden-yellow and bronze tones of the Rudbeckia contrast magnificently with the rosy-purple of the Echinacea. They flower at the same time and love the same conditions.
• 🌾 Hordeum jubatum (Foxtail Barley): Add texture. The silky, pinkish plumes of the barley grass soften the bold, rigid shapes of the Coneflowers, creating a relaxed, windswept meadow aesthetic.

📅 Sowing & Flowering Calendar

Sow indoors in late winter/spring. Plants establish in Year 1 and flower fully from Year 2 onwards.

(↔️ Swipe chart to see all months)