Prairie Coneflower

Name: Ratibida columnifera
Color: Yellow
Sections: 3

Ratibida columnifera, commonly known as Prairie Coneflower, is a drought-tolerant perennial native to the prairies and plains of North America. It is best recognized for its distinctive flower heads, which feature a brown central cone surrounded by bright yellow petals that droop steeply downward. Blooming continuously from early summer through early autumn, the showy flower heads sit atop branching stems with feather-like foliage. 

Grow Guide

  • Light: Full Sun
  • Hardiness: USDA Zones 4–9
  • Size: 1.5–3 feet tall with a spread of 1–1.5 feet
  • Watering: Dry to medium. Highly drought-tolerant once established. Avoid overly moist soils, which can cause stems to flop.
  • Best Use: Outstanding for wildflower meadows, xeriscaping, prairie plantings, and low-maintenance borders. It attracts bees, butterflies, and other beneficial pollinators, while its dried seed heads provide late-season food for birds. It is notably resistant to deer, heat, and poor soils.