Echinaceas and Rudbeckias are sun loving plants that can maintain momentum in borders after the flush of early summer flowering plants has started to fade. Native to the North American prairies, these plants are relatively undemanding and will provide colour for a long period from mid-summer to early autumn. Once established, they are drought tolerant and their strong flower stems means that they seldom require staking. Pests and diseases generally give these plants a miss and so they really provide good value. Unlike many herbaceous perennial plants, they do not require frequent lifting and dividing and are best left to provide colour and impact with minimal maintenance.
