Echinacea 'Bravado' Seeds
'Bravado' is a magnificent and improved variety of the traditional Purple Coneflower, specifically bred for its exceptionally large, 4-5 inch blooms. Unlike wilder forms that can sometimes look a little swept-back or droopy, 'Bravado' stands tall and proud, with its soft rosy-purple petals holding themselves flat to create a wide, open daisy shape.
Each flower features a prominent, coppery-orange central cone that provides a striking contrast to the purple petals and remains attractive long after the petals have faded. Reaching up to 120cm in height, it is an essential architectural plant for the mid-to-back of a sunny border, providing reliable structure and colour throughout the summer and into the early autumn.
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Echinacea purpurea 'Bravado' is a Hardy Perennial (H5). It is exceptionally resilient and built to return year after year, withstanding typical UK winters with ease. It is a "late riser" in the spring garden, often not showing its first green shoots until May, but it grows rapidly once the soil warms.
Bred for Impact: While standard coneflowers have petals that reflex (droop) backwards, 'Bravado' has been selected for horizontal petals that stay flat. This creates a much larger visual surface area and a more "daisy-like" appearance in the border.
Winter Value: If left standing after the first frosts, the blackened central cones provide vital architectural interest in the winter garden and act as a natural bird feeder, especially for finches.
Echinacea is easy to grow from seed, but patience is key as it establishes its deep, drought-tolerant root system.
How to Sow:
Sow indoors from February to April. Sow the seeds on the surface of moist, well-drained compost and cover with only a very thin layer of compost or vermiculite, as light aids germination. Maintain a temperature of 20°C. Germination can be slow and erratic, typically taking 14-21 days.
Where to Plant:
Plant out in May or June once the risk of frost has passed. They demand full sun and thrive in deep, fertile, well-drained soil. Because of their height (90-120cm), they are best placed in the middle or back of a border where they can rise above lower perennials.
Ongoing Care:
Keep young plants well-watered until established; thereafter, they are remarkably drought-tolerant. Deadhead the first few spent blooms to encourage more buds, but consider leaving the final seed heads of the season to ripen for the birds and winter structure.
| Botanical Name | Echinacea purpurea 'Bravado' |
| Common Name | Purple Coneflower |
| Plant Type | Hardy Perennial |
| Hardiness | H5 (Hardy throughout the UK) |
| Light Requirements | Full Sun ☀️ |
| Height | 90cm - 120cm |
| Spread | 45cm |
| Flowering Period | July to September |
| Perfect For | 🦋 Butterfly Gardens ✂️ Architectural Cut Flowers 🌦️ Drought Resistance 🐦 Winter Bird Seed |
| Seeds per Packet | Approximately 30 seeds |
The rosy-purple architecture of 'Bravado' makes it a perfect anchor for prairie-style plantings:
- 🍯 Rudbeckia 'Marmalade': The Late Summer Fire. The intense purple of the Echinacea and the glowing gold of the Rudbeckia create a high-contrast, professional border that thrives when other plants are starting to fade.
- 🌾 Briza Maxima (Quaking Grass): The Texture Match. The heavy, solid structure of the coneflowers is beautifully softened by the shimmering, trembling heart-shaped lockets of the Quaking Grass.
Sow indoors in spring for summer colour that returns faithfully every year.
🏆 RHS Plants for Pollinators
Echinacea 'Bravado' is listed on the RHS Plants for Pollinators list. Its large, nectar-rich central cone is an absolute magnet for bees and butterflies throughout the summer.