Echinacea pallida ‘Hula Dancer’

Description

Echinacea ‘Hula Dancer’

Echinacea ‘Hula Dancer’ is a striking herbaceous perennial that brings unusual elegance to summer borders. This compact cultivar reaches heights of 40-50cm with a similar spread, making it ideal for front to mid-border positions. The distinctive flowers feature very pendulous white, pink-tinged narrow petals that hang gracefully downwards around a prominent central cone, creating a unique shuttlecock effect. Flowering prolifically from July to September, it attracts bees, butterflies, and other pollinators.

Culturally, this echinacea thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, tolerating poor to moderately fertile conditions. It’s remarkably drought-tolerant once established and hardy to -15°C. Deadhead regularly to prolong flowering and cut back to ground level in late autumn. Divide clumps every three to four years in spring to maintain vigour. The plant is deer-resistant and requires minimal maintenance, making it perfect for low-maintenance, wildlife-friendly gardens and prairie-style plantings.