September’s plant of the month is Echinacea pallida. Echinacea pallida is a tallish coneflower growing to 1.2 metres with distinctive pale pink flowers. The petals are long and linear and reflex to droop down from the brown cone. It loves a sunny position with a southerly or westerly aspect and well drained soil. Cut back stems as the blooms fade which may encourage further flowering; flowers may be kept on the plant for winter interest. Good in flower borders and beds, as cut flowers and cottage and informal style gardens especially prairie planting.