Yellow Coneflower Ratibida pinnata
Other Common Name(s):
Other plants called Yellow Coneflower:
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 aster family. It is found growing in fields, prairies and dry open woods. It is very rare in NC and may naturalized from cultivated sources ("wildflower" seeds). The specific epithet is in reference 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 plants shrubs will help to support the plant which may tend to flop over. Propigation is from seeds or division.
The yellow ray petals surround a central grey dome of disc flowers in summer. The green leaves are compound with 3-7 divisions.
Use this plant in the pollinator or wildflower garden in the back border, in masse, in naturalized areas, meadows or open woodland. This plant can also be used in rain 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
- Wildflower
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
-
-
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
-
-
Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Head
- 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 petals are 1-3 inches long and surround an oblong, grayish center with many disc 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:
- Dentate
- Entire
- Lobed
- 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.
-
-
Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Meadow
- Naturalized Area
- Slope/Bank
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Children's Garden
- Cottage Garden
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Rain Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Pollinators
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
- Poor Soil
