Sun Exposure: Sun, Part Sun
Soil Moisture: Medium, Medium-Dry
Soil Type: Sand, Loam, Loamy-Clay
Height: 4 - 5 feet
Spread: 2 feet
Blooms: July, August, September
Root: Rhizome
Habitat: Prairies, Woodland openings and borders, Thickets, Limestone Glades
Landscape uses: Pollinator gardens, Meadow plantings, Naturalization
Complimentary Plants: Wild Bergamot, Anise Hyssop, Dense Blazing Star, Indiangrass
Wildlife Value: Many kinds of insects visit the flowers, but especially bees, including Epeoline Cuckoo bees, large Leaf-Cutting bees, Green Metallic bees, and other Halictine bees. Host Plant: Silvery Checkerspot Butterfly, Wavy-Lined Emerald Moth, Common Eupithecia Moth. Songbirds eat the seeds.
Seed Origin: Coldwater, ON (Wildflower Farm seed supplier)
Germination Code: C(30)
Photo credits: #1 by Joshua Mayer, #2 by Sundaura Alford-Purvis, #3 by USFWSmidwest, #4 by Frank Mayfield, #5 by cassi saari
Ratibida pinnata - Yellow Coneflower
Yellow Coneflower is a great choice for a wildflower garden because of its long blooming period. The cone-like green centers eventually change to a dark purple or brown, and the droopy soft flower petals sway or flutter with each passing breeze. Ratibida pinnata is native to dry prairies and savannas and is a tough drought tolerant plant.
It looks best planted with other tall native species such as Wild Bergamot, Purple Coneflower, Anise Hyssop and Dense Blazing Star, as well as any of the prairie grasses.