Yellow Coneflower
Ratibida pinnata
General Information
Yellow Coneflower is an easy-to-grow rhizomatous herbaceous perennial.
Yellow Coneflower is typically found in open fields, prairies, dry open woods, and along railroad tracks and roads. It prefers full sun and does best in clay and loam soils. It is adaptable to dry or moist conditions.
Yellow Coneflower has large showy yellow flowers. Flower heads emit an anise scent when bruised. Yellow Coneflower blooms much of the summer between July and September.
Plant Information
Plant Type:
Herbaceous perennial
Sun Preference:
Full Sun * Part Sun
Soil Moisture Preference:
Medium * Medium-Dry
Plant Height:
4 feet
Plant Width:
1.5 to 2 feet
Plant Spacing:
1.5 to 2 feet
Flower Color:
Yellow
Flower timing:
July to September
Culture Information:
Yellow Coneflower works best in native gardens, pollinator gardens, children’s gardens, naturalized areas, slopes and banks, meadows, open woodland. It is oftentimes best grown in massed plantings as individual plants are tall, narrow and sparsely-leaved.
When first planted, Yellow Coneflower should be watered weekly for first few months, unless at least an inch of rain has been received in the last week to help it get established. After it becomes established, Yellow Coneflower does not typically need watering, as it is drought tolerant.
Yellow Coneflower can be cut back to the ground in late fall or over winter. It may require staking or other support.
Tolerates:
Drought
Poor Soil
Clay soil
Pests & Disease:
Yellow Coneflower typically has no serious insect problems.
Yellow Coneflower has no serious disease problems.
Yellow Coneflower has a medium flammability rating.
Wildlife Use:
Pollinators: Yellow Coneflower attracts pollinators, especially bees. Yellow Coneflower is a larval host plant to Silvery Checkerspot butterfly and some moths.
Birds: Goldfinches will eat the seeds.
Mammals: N/A.
Other: N/A.
Native to:
More Information:
NC State Plant Database:
Missouri Botanical Garden:
TN-KY Plant Atlas
Other Link: