Ratibida, Grey Headed Coneflower, Mexican Hats, Red Coneflower, Red Hats, Upright Prairie Coneflower 'Red'

Ratibidacolumnifera

Family
Asteraceae (ass-ter-AY-see-ee)
Genus
Ratibida (ruh-TIB-ih-duh)
Species
columnifera (kol-um-NEE-fer-uh)
Synonym
Rudbeckia columnaris
Ratibida columnaris
Sun Exposure
Full Sun
Height
36-48 in. (90-120 cm)
Spacing
15-18 in. (38-45 cm)
18-24 in. (45-60 cm)
Hardiness
USDA Zone 3a: to -39.9 °C (-40 °F)
USDA Zone 3b: to -37.2 °C (-35 °F)
USDA Zone 4a: to -34.4 °C (-30 °F)
USDA Zone 4b: to -31.6 °C (-25 °F)
USDA Zone 5a: to -28.8 °C (-20 °F)
USDA Zone 5b: to -26.1 °C (-15 °F)
USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3 °C (-10 °F)
USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 °C (-5 °F)
USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 °C (0 °F)
USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 °C (5 °F)
USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F)
USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)
USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F)
USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)
Bloom Color
Red
Bright Yellow
Bloom Time
Late Spring/Early Summer
Mid Summer
Late Summer/Early Fall
Other Details
Category
Perennials
Water Requirements
Drought-tolerant; suitable for xeriscaping
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater
Foliage Color
Where to Grow
Grow outdoors year-round in hardiness zone
Bloom Characteristics
This plant is attractive to bees, butterflies and/or birds
Bloom Size
Other details
Soil pH requirements
5.6 to 6.0 (acidic)
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
Patent Information
Propagation Methods
By dividing the rootball
From seed; direct sow outdoors in fall
From seed; winter sow in vented containers, coldframe or unheated greenhouse
Direct sow as soon as the ground can be worked
From seed; sow indoors before last frost
From seed; direct sow after last frost
Self-sows freely; deadhead if you do not want volunteer seedlings next season
Seed Collecting
Allow seedheads to dry on plants; remove and collect seeds
Regional

This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:

Saint David, Arizona

Pacific Junction, Iowa

Wichita, Kansas

Blair, Nebraska

Imperial, Nebraska

Hazlet, New Jersey

El Paso, Texas

Mc Lean, Virginia

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

New Lisbon, Wisconsin

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Gardener's Notes:

1
positive
2
neutrals
0
negative
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M
El Paso, TX (Zone 8a) | November 2013 | positive

I have several mounds of these growing in intense full sun in a raised bed of mostly sand and minimal organic matter, and they look beaut...Read More

P
McLean, VA (Zone 6b) | April 2008 | neutral

Although the flowers are pretty, they are small, and the stalks are weak. I found that many of the flowers trailed close to the ground. ...Read More

G
(Zone 5a) | February 2006 | neutral

Bushy 4' plant, red drooping petals on a central cone. Hardy to zone 4. Used as a cut flower. Attracts butterflies.

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