Tennessee Smart Yards Native Plants
A comprehensive database of Tennessee native plants
Prairie Coneflower, Yellow Coneflower
Prairie Coneflower, Yellow Coneflower, Grey-headed ConeflowerRatibida pinnataFull sun, medium to moderately dry moisture level, rich soil preferred but tolerates poor soils including clay, moderately acid to neutral pH. 3-5 feet height, blooms for a long period in summer, yellow flowers, spreads slowly by re-seeding.Germination Code: C(30)Native Region: Scattered statewide but primarily in Middle TennesseeTall, showy plant that is easy to grow from seed and very durable. Two things to avoid are too much water and too much fertilizer. Best planted en masse because individual plants are narrow and sparsely leafed. Attracts butterflies, bees and birds. Larval food for the Silvery Checkerspot butterfly.flower;sun;medium;clay |
 Photo Courtesy of John Hilty http://www.illinoiswildflowers.info/  Photo Courtesy of Prairie Moon Nursery http://www.prairiemoon.  Photo Courtesy of Prairie Moon Nursery http://www.prairiemoon.com/  Photo Courtesy of Prairie Moon Nursery http://www.prairiemoon.com/  Photo Courtesy of Prairie Moon Nursery http://www.prairiemoon.com/  Photo Courtesy of John Hilty http://www.illinoiswildflowers.info/  Photo Courtesy of John Hilty http://www.illinoiswildflowers.info/ |
Tennessee Smart Yards Native Plants 
I have grown this coneflower over a period of about 10 years in a variety of places and times so I hope I have enough experience to comment on how it will behave for others. It is not a spectacular flower but it is attractive and very dependable. It is very easy from seed (so be careful not to use too much), stands straight and tall on its own in spite of its rather tall height, and endures dependably year after year. It is also more of a spreading, re-seeder than you might first guess. If you are looking for something tall, colorful, and dependable, this species is a good bet.