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Yellow Coneflower
Ratibida pinnata
PerennialYellow Coneflower
Ratibida pinnata
Tap to flip backGrowing Conditions
Light
Full Sun
Water
Dry – Medium
Soil
Any
Size
3-5'
Bloom
Yellow, Jul–Sep
Why Grow It
Drought Tolerant
Thrives with little water once established
Pollinator Magnet
Attracts many types of pollinators
Caterpillar Host
Feeds caterpillars of native moths & butterflies
Did You Know?
The drooping yellow petals and raised cone give it a distinctive 'shuttlecock' appearance unlike any other coneflower.
When crushed, the cone smells like anise — earning it the folk name 'prairie coneflower.'
Makes an excellent long-lasting cut flower that can persist in a vase for over a week.
Wildlife Value
🐝
Native Bees
Long bloom season supports many bee species midsummer
🐦
Goldfinch
Feeds on seeds from drooping cone heads in fall
🦋
Silvery Checkerspot Butterfly
Caterpillars feed on foliage of Ratibida species
Good Companions
🌸 Wild Bergamot
🌾 Big Bluestem
💜 Prairie Blazing Star
⚪ Wild Quinine
Planting Guide
- Sow seed in fall on soil surface; needs light and cold.
- Full sun in average to dry well-drained soil; tolerates clay.
- Leave spent cones standing through winter for birds and reseeding.
Heads Up
Spreads by Seed
Self-seeds freely; manage seedlings
Plant Details
Made with ♥ by Lu Li