Yellow Coneflower – Ratibida pinnata

Yellow Coneflower (Ratibida pinnata), sometimes called Gray-Headed Coneflower, is a cheerful perennial with drooping, bright yellow petals surrounding a prominent, cone-shaped central disk that starts grayish-green and darkens as it matures. Blooming in mid to late summer, these flowers can grow up to 5 feet tall and add lovely height and movement to prairies, meadows, and pollinator gardens. Yellow Coneflower is a magnet for bees, butterflies, and other pollinators, providing a crucial nectar source during the summer. It’s resilient and easy to grow, thriving in full sun and well-drained soils, and is often used in prairie restoration projects for its adaptability and wildlife benefits.