Ratibida pinnata
Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Rudbeckia pinnata
- Phonetic Spelling
- ruh-TIBB-ih-duh pih-NAY-tuh
- Description
-
Yellow coneflower is a rhizomatous perennial herb native to central and eastern USA in the daisy family (Asteraceae). It is found growing in fields, prairies and dry open woods. It is very rare in NC and may have naturalized from cultivated sources ("wildflower" seeds). The specific epithet is Latin for "pinnate" and refers to the pinnate leaves.
Yellow coneflower will grow up to 5 feet tall and prefers clay loam to sandy loam soils in full sun and is adaptable to dry to moist conditions and various soils. It is very easy to grow in full sun to partial shade. It is drought- and poor soil-tolerant, so don't overwater or over-fertilize. Planting it near larger shrubs will help to support the plant, which may tend to flop over. Propagation is from seeds or division.
The yellow ray petals surround a central gray dome of disk flowers in summer. The green leaves are compound with 3 to 7 divisions.
Use this plant in the pollinator or butterfly garden in the back border, in masse, in naturalized areas, meadows or open woodland. This plant can also be used in rain gardens, children's gardens, cottage gardens, cutting gardens or drought-tolerant gardens.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- HOA Butterfly Garden in Brunswick County
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Sunglow'
- 'Sunglow'
- 'Sunglow'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Sunglow'
- 'Sunglow'
- 'Sunglow'
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Ratibida
- Species:
- pinnata
- Family:
- Asteraceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- South East Canada to U.S.A
- Distribution:
- AL , AR , CT , FL , GA , IA , IL , IN , KS , KY , LA , MA , MI , MN , MO , MS , NE , NY , OH , OK , PA , SC , SD , TN , VA , VT , WI , WV
- Wildlife Value:
- Attracts pollinators, especially bees. Host plant to Silvery Checkerspot butterfly as well as some moths. Goldfinches will eat the seeds.
- Play Value:
- Attracts Pollinators
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-
Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Native Plant
- Wildflower
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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-
Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Shallow Rocky
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 8a, 8b
-
-
Fruit:
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Achene
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- Seeds are formed in the disc flowers
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-
Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Head
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Good Cut
- Long Bloom Season
- Long-lasting
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Radial
- Flower Petals:
- 6 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- Up to 13 extremely reflexed yellow ray florets are 1 to 3 inches long and surround an oblong, grayish center with many disk florets; anise scent when bruised. Blooms early to late summer.
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-
Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Rough
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Rosulate
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Lanceolate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Lobed
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Pinnately divided glandular leaves with 3 to 7 segments and may be further divided. Margins may be slightly dentate or entire and have stiff whitish hairs. The largest basal leaves are up to 8 inches long and 5 inches across. Stem leaves are smaller and sparse.
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-
Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Surface:
- Hairy (pubescent)
- Stem Description:
- Tall slender slightly ridged stems with hairs.
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-
Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Meadow
- Naturalized Area
- Slope/Bank
- Small Space
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Children's Garden
- Cottage Garden
- Cutting Garden
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Rain Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Pollinators
- Predatory Insects
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
- Poor Soil
