Friday Foraging #133 - 23rd May 2025

Friday Foraging

Echinacea angustifolia or Coneflower as it is also called grows well in the UK, but is not a native plant. It is fairly obvious to tell as its name may suggest, the flower head looks like a cone.

These tough perennials are increasingly popular in gardens, as they are hardy and attract bees and butterflies, while adding a sparkle of colour. They flower in late summer.

They prefer full sun and soil that drains well, they don’t mind it if they don’t get watered for a few days in the height of the season. You can purchase the plants or seeds from a local garden centre and bring them on in your own garden.

The flower head is fairly easy to identify as it looks like a daisy in design, but much bigger and with pink petals. The inner head is raised to look like a cone and the leaves are lance shaped and rough to touch.

Grow it in your garden for a constant supply where you can pick the heads, gather the seeds and take the odd root too. They like to grow in clumps, so put a few seedlings in together and remember to let the bees have their fill first.