Photo of Ratibida pinnata flower by Karl Gercens III

Photo by Karl Gercens III

Used with permission, all rights reserved

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Ratibida pinnata

Also Known As

  • Grey Headed Coneflower
  • Prairie Coneflower

Plant type

perennial

size

  • H: 2'-6'
  • W: 12"-18"

planting zones

  • 4a-8b

More Options

Ratibida pinnata plant details

Ratibida pinnata is a broadleaf deciduous perennial with green foliage. In fall and summer yellow flowers emerge. Attracts bees and butterflies making it an excellent addition to pollinator gardens. Grows well with sun and occasional water. Drought tolerant once established. Adapts to various soil conditions. Does well in clay, lean and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something heat tolerant.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Ratibida pinnata

Plant type: perennial
Plant family: asteraceae
Foliage: deciduous green
Mature size: 12 IN - 18 IN - wide, 2 FT - 6 FT - tall
Flowers: yellow blooms in fall and summer
Uses: cutting garden, easy-to-grow, fragrant, long-blooming, native plant

GROWING CONDITIONS for Ratibida pinnata

USDA Zones: 4a - 8b
Sun exposure: sun
Watering frequency: occasional
Resistant to: deer, heat
Soil needs: clay, lean and well-drained

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

Yellow Coneflower (Ratibida pinnata) grows in almost any soil! This striking prairie flower produces a cornucopia of bright yellow flowers in the heat of mid-summer. Amazingly durable, it survives heat, drought, flooding, and winter cold. Easy to grow from seed or transplants, this is a strong perennial and classic prairie flower. Hardy to Zones 3 - 9.
Native to dry prairies; from Minnesota, South Dakota, south to Georgia, and Mississippi. Beautiful large light yellow petals droop from tall purple-brown cone centers, blooming all summer. Nice combined with purple coneflower.
3" yellow daisies top the tall wispy stems of this vigorous native perennial from mid spring to late summer. Finely cut rich green pinnately divided foliage adds a soft textural backdrop for the profusion of flowers. An easy and reliably perennial native for the back of the border. An excellent choice for pollinators.Ratibida may reseed under good conditions.
GOT CLAY? This American native prairie flower does very well in clay, sand, not-so-good soil, dry soil or wet soil. Distinguished by its dramatic, pendulous, bright yellow petals, it forms an anise scented, central gray cone that turns brown with age. To 4’ tall, it blooms profusely from June thru Fall and looks great when 2 or 3 plants are massed together. It’s an excellent habitat plant for birds & butterflies & deer resistant, too. Good for erosion control & a great cut flower.
A North American native with drooping bright yellow rays around a grey cone-like center. Slender stalks grow to 4 feet tall.

Gardening facts about Ratibida pinnata plant

How to Grow Ratibida pinnata

  • Sun Exposure

    • sun
  • Water Needs

    • occasional - drought tolerant
  • Soil Needs

    • clay
    • adaptable
    • lean
    • well-drained
  • Special Situation

    • heat tolerant

Features

  • Wildlife

    • bees
    • butterflies
    • deer resistant
  • Flower Season

    • fall
    • summer
  • Flower Color

    • yellow
  • Foliage Color

    • green
  • Foliage Season

    • deciduous
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