The Unknown Coneflower
OK, it’s not really unknown. But generally when people talk about Coneflowers, they’re talking about the genus Echinacea, or less frequently, Rudbeckia. Seldom are they referring to the Yellow Coneflower, Ratibida pinnata.
Incidentally, it’s pronounced rah-TIB-ih-dah. Don’t embarrass yourself as I have by saying RAT-ty-bee-dah, which could be a gangster’s nickname. I have a knack for always choosing the wrong Latin pronunciation.
Anyway. I planted Yellow Coneflower in part because my Purple Coneflowers (Echinacea purpureum) kept coming down with Aster Yellows, for which there is no cure. I don’t have Echinaceas any more, and I miss them.
However, Yellow Coneflower has been resistant to Aster Yellows, even though it also is a member of the Aster Family. (Actually, Purple Coneflower is the only plant in my garden ever to succumb to Aster Yellows.)
Yellow Coneflower has a number of other virtues. The abundant flowers are a bright, clear yellow. It combines nicely with the blue spikes of Anise Hyssop (Agastache foeniculum). The rays are endearingly droopy, like the ears of a basset hound. And the cone reminds me of a clown’s nose.
Overall, this is an adaptable Midwest native that needs no coddling, and it’s of special value to native bees.
Floppiness, especially in our rich soil, is the one problem I have with Yellow Coneflower. In my garden, it grows about 5′ tall, and the stems tend to be slender and a bit too flexible.
This year, I propped up the Yellow Coneflowers in the Driveway Border with peony hoops. Even after that, I found them smothering some of their neighbors, so I got out the stakes and green twine.
But even with the excessive flopping, I find that Yellow Coneflower makes a charming addition to our Driveway Border in July and August.
That’s all for now.
gardeninacity 
A long-ago non-gardening acquaintance wanted to grow Ratibida — he had moved to SC from Chicago.
It doesn’t like the SE heat and humidity (unlike some of its relatives), so I wasn’t encouraging. Glad to see it flourishing for you!
It has truly been, as they say, a care-free plant.
It’s absolutely beautiful. The name was familiar, too. Lo and behold, it’s related to our native Mexican hat, or upright prairie coneflower: Ratibida columnifera. Your yellow coneflower isn’t native to Texas, but it is listed for Oklahoma, so it comes close. it’s such fun to see these beautiful plants that many of us down here don’t know.
I’ve seen R. columnifera in catalogs. I was tempted to order some, particularly the ‘Red Midget’ variety. It’s native to at least parts of Illinois, so I’m going to think about it.
I know this as gray-headed coneflower. I did find some that was labeled as yellow coneflower, not realizing it was the same thing, so now I have plenty of them in the yard!
There’s the value of using the Latin names. On the other hand, I’m sure all that Ratibida looks great in your garden.
They’re gorgeous, cheery and summer-appropriate. As shoreacres mentions, the do look similar to our R. colmnifera, but also they remind me a bit of the Clasping coneflower (Dracopis amplexicaulis).
And yeah, that Latin pronunciation thing.
Clasping Coneflower – that one is entirely new to me!
Wow, great flower. I’d like to grow it too, but reading one of the comments, I see it may not take well to heat and humidity. Darn.
Maybe plant one and see how it does? Or seeds are cheap.
It’s worth a try for sure.
I have not seen this cornflower before Jason. I like it, nice shape.
Lovely flower. All of what was left of my purple coneflowers withered and died this year. Never have had any luck with them. Rudbeckia OTOH I cannot control.
Feast or famine, as they say. I guess it applies to plants also.
I think I have seen these growing on the roadside near here, but I could be mistaken. Anyway they are lovely! I have some Echinacea that was given to me by a friend, and it is just about ready to bloom for the first time. Hopefully nothing happens to it!
I love these! It took me awhile to get them established here, but one year I suddenly noticed their blooms opening up and was so happy. Thanks for the correct pronunciation–I have been corrected several times on my botanical names. Try asking for agastache:)
Oh, I know about Agastache! How could it possibly be pronounced AG-uh-stak-ee? Do we pronounce “mustache” MUS-tak-ee? No, we don’t.
I am glad you wrote this post about Aster Yellows. Now I know why I don’t have much luck with Purple cone flowers. This Aster Yellows is the culprit. Your Yellow Cone Flower is a beauty.
A jaunty flower! I, too, have never seen yellow cone flowers before. Wonder if anyone in Maine grows them.
Not native to Maine, but native to Massachussetts. I’m guessing they could be grown in Maine.
Have always been attracted to the form of Ratibida. Somehow they seem not to like it here. Maybe I’ll try again.
Such a pretty sight. I too, know them as gray coneflower, and have them in my garden. Aster yellows is a real bane. Lost all my purple coneflowers about five years ago. Do you know if the cultivars are resistant to aster yellows?
Try Echinacea pallida. Anything with purpurea is prone to Aster yellows.
Another couple of species to try are E. paradoxa and E. tennesseensis.
I agree, very charming. I like the way the petals droop. š
I’ve never heard of aster yellows. I’m going to have to look it up.
Here’s a link you might find useful. http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/gardens-gardening/your-garden/help-for-the-home-gardener/advice-tips-resources/pests-and-problems/diseases/viruses/aster-yellows.aspx
Thank you, that’s interesting. I haven’t seen it here thankfully.
I, too, was going to look up aster yellows. Thank you for the link; it was very helpful. We’ve had more rain than usual, and I suspect this is why my zinnias look so bad right now. I’m going out to investigate first thing in the morning — unless it’s still raining.
I’ve never seen them either, I like the lovely floppy yellow petals.
Very pretty. Similar to Black Eyed Susan. The rabbits ate my purple Coneflower this year, as well as many other flowers and veggies. šš¦
Damn those rabbits! They are a pestilence.
I have had these in my garden for years. Wonderful with the exception that the 5foot tall flowers flop over as they age so I stake the one clump which is near the sidewalk.
They do need staking or some sort of support.
It certainly is an impressive plant, I have the Hyssop, now I want this too.xxx
One of my favorites! It’s a bit of a seeder but in a charming way. The C-value is 4. I enjoy using in between grasses like Panicum which keeps it propped up. Has a very low profile (skinny) so it can easily be added to an established garden. Try seed!
I haven’t tried using Panicum to prop them up – sounds like a good idea.
Hello Jason, we had Rudbeckia in the previous garden and they grew long and leggy in the rich soil (but did flower well). I’m expecting to have the same problems here when I introduce them. I’ll have to surround them with sturdy shrubs or something for them to lean against.
You can also cut them back so they get a bushier habit.