Sun Exposure: Sun, Part Sun
Soil Moisture: Medium, Medium-Dry, Dry
Soil Type: Sand, Loam, Clay
Height: 2-3 feet
Spread: 2 feet
Blooms: June, July, August
Root: Taproot
Habitat: Prairies, Dry fields
Landscape uses: Pollinator gardens, Meadow plantings, Naturalization
Complimentary Plants: Anise Switchgrass, Slender Mountain Mint
Wildlife Value: Bees and beetles visit the flowers for pollen and nectar. Songbirds eat the seeds.
Seed Origin: Winona, MN (Prairie Moon seed supplier)
Germination Code: C(30)
Photo credits: #1 by USFWS Endangered Species, #2 by Jeff Coffman, #3 by daryl_mitchell, #4 by Peter M. Dizuk, #5/6 by Katy Chayka
Ratibida columnifera - Long-headed Coneflower
Long-headed Coneflower resembles Yellow Coneflower (Ratibida pinnata) but is much shorter at 2-3 feet. Its distinguishing feature is its tall cone, which produces an abundance of pollen that is collected by small bees. The petals are usually yellow, but there is also a variant species (pulcherrima) that has dark red rays with yellow edges, commonly called Mexican Hat. I have observed leaf cutter bees using the petals for nesting material.