Grey Headed ConeflowerÂ
Ratibida pinnata
Other Names: Gray Headed Coneflower, Pinnate Prairie Coneflower, Prairie Coneflower, Yellow Coneflower
Plant Details
USDA Plant Hardiness Zones: 3a-8b  Find Your Zone
Plant Type:Â Herbaceous PerennialÂ
Height at Maturity:Â 36-60″Â
Width at Maturity:Â 18-24″
Spacing:Â 24″ for mass plantings
Spacing:Â 24″ for mass plantings
Growth Habit / Form:Â Upright
Growth Rate:Â Fast
Flower Color:Â Yellow with Grey center cones
Flower Size:Â 3″ diameter
Flowering Period:Â Throughout Summer into Fall
Flower Type:Â Daisy, coneflower
Fragrant Flowers:Â Â No
Foliage Color:Â Green
Fragrant Foliage:Â No
Berries:Â Â No
Berry Color:Â No
Sun Needs:Â Full Sun or Part Shade
Water Needs:Â Â Average to Low when established
Soil Type:Â Â Clay (amend heavy clay to ensure good drainage), Loam, Sand, SiltÂ
Soil Moisture / Drainage:Â Moist But Well Drained to Dry when established
Soil pH:Â 5.5 – 7.5 (Acid to Slightly Alkaline)
Maintenance / Care:Â Low
Attracts:Â Butterflies, Birds, Beneficial Pollinators, Visual Attention
Resistances:Â Cold Temperatures (-40F), Deer, Disease, Drought & Dry Soil (when established), Heat, Humidity, Insect, Rabbit
Description
Ratibida pinnata, commonly known as the Grey Headed Coneflower, is a hardy North American native perennial wildflower that thrives in dry and poor soil when established, even growing along railroad tracks and roads with no care at all. It features 5″ long pinnately divided leaves on upright stiff stems growing 3 to 5 feet tall so is excellent and interesting at the back of the perennial border or for height in a meadow or prairie garden. The flowers have 5 to 7 downward drooping bright yellow petals surrounding the bottom of an elongated, anise-scented, grayish central disk in the shape of the top of a slender sombrero. You and the butterflies and beneficial pollinators will appreciate the long bloom period throughout the summer. We’ve seen no serious problem with insects or disease and it is very drought tolerant when the root system has developed. Most outstanding in groupings.
Landscape & Garden Uses
Growing 3 to 5 feet tall and 1.5 to 2 feet wide, the Grey Headed Coneflower is ideal for use at the back of the sunny perennial border or to add height to prairie, meadow and wildflower gardens. A fine addition to butterfly gardens, beneficial pollinator gardens, yellow theme gardens and the Xeriscape (low water needs).Â
Suggested Spacing:Â 18 inches apart for solid groupings or mass plantings
Growing Preferences
The Grey Headed Coneflower is very easy to grow in most any moist but well-drained soil in full to mostly sun. We suggest at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day. High drought tolerance when established. We’ve seen no serious problems with insects or disease. Can be cut back to the ground after going dormant in winter.
Plant Long & Prosper!
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