Inject some late-summer colour into your planting schemes with this warming Echinacea purpurea ‘Magnus’ (Coneflower). Strong, upright stems each carry particularly large flowers in a toasty burnt orange hue and with a dark black centre. Busting into bloom in summer and continuing right through to autumn, this pleasing variety puts on a fantastic show which stays consistent come rain or shine. A great choice for a large cottage-style border or mingled in with soft ornamental grasses for a trendy, low-maintenance prairie look. Not only is it great in the garden, but it makes a great late-season cut flower too. Sow early spring at 20-24C (70-75F) in a good seed compost just covering the seed with compost. Keep soil damp but not wet. Do not exclude light, sealing in a polythene bag after sowing is helpful. Germination usually takes 10-21 days. When seedlings are large enough to handle, transplant and grow on in cooler conditions. Gradually acclimatise to outdoor conditions for 10