(Ratibida columnifera ‘Dwarf Red’)
Dwarf Red Coneflower is a native clump-forming perennial flower commonly found growing in prairies, plains, and along roadsides of every state north and south of Utah to Ohio. At maturity, this plant reaches a height of 1-3' and features hairy stems, 6” deeply divided green leaves, and long cylindrical cones with 4-12 droopy petals that are yellow, deep red, or red with yellow streaks. This plant attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, makes a dye, has medicinal uses, and is used as a cut flower!
Genus: Ratibida
Species: columnifera
Variety: Dwarf Red Coneflower
Native Range: Alberta, Arizona, Arkansas, British Columbia, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Manitoba, Massachusetts, Mexico Central, Mexico Gulf, Mexico Northeast, Mexico Northwest, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Ontario, Saskatchewan, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Wisconsin, Wyoming
Introduced into: Great Britain, Jawa, New York
Also Known As: Long-head Coneflower, Grey Headed Coneflower, Upright Prairie Coneflower, Red Hats, Thimble flower, Columnar Prairie Coneflower, Mexican Hat
Ease of Growing: Easy
Grown as: Biennial, Perennial
Blooms: Summer
Growing Conditions: dry, well-drained soils, adaptable to most garden conditions and is quite drought-tolerant
Outdoor Growing Temp: 50°F - 95°F
Min Outdoor Soil Temp: 50°F. There is really no advantage to planting Echinacea in colder soil, so wait until the soil reaches at least 50 ˚F.
Start Indoors: Yes
Start Outdoors: Yes
Light: Full Sun: min. 6 hours daily (Cold, Cool, Warm, Hot). Prefers full sun, but will tolerate light shade.
Water: Low. Dry. Excessively drained. Well drained, soil remains moist for a short period after precipitation. Once established, this plants only needs to be watered during drought or high heat periods. However, it doesn't hurt to give the plants some water every couple weeks, especially if the soil is dry.
Feeder: Moderate. Prefers rich soil.
Suitability: Sunny borders, native plant areas, meadows and prairies. Best grouped or massed because individual plants tend to appear somewhat sparse because of the leaves.
Small Gardens?: Yes
Containers?: Yes. Plant individual plants in 3 gallon pots or larger, or multiple plants in a narrow planter that is at least 1 1/2' wide. Add gravel to the bottom of the container to encourage draining. Place pots in full sun. Every spring, fertilize your plants and prune back dead flowers and leaves.
Attracts beneficial insects?: Yes. Nectar-Bees, Nectar-Butterflies, Nectar-insects, Seeds-Granivorous birds, Deer
Forage: Edible to birds
Plant Height: 12-24"
Sow Depth: 1/4"
Spacing: 8-18”
Hardiness Zone: 3a-10b
Produces: hairy stems, 6” deeply divided green leaves, and long cylindrical cones that have 4-12 droopy petals that are yellow, deep red, or red with yellow streaks.
Uses: This wildflower has served as a dye source, and the Cheyenne Indians used the parts of the plant to treat rattlesnake bites! Also used to treat poison ivy!
Soil pH: 5.5-7.5, Ideal 6.5-7.0. Prefers a rich, limey garden soil that drains well. If possible, plant in raised beds for better soil drainage and aeration.
Soil Preparation:
Compost (Nitrogen), 2", 1 time: Incorporate at least 2" of compost or well aged manure into the top 8" of soil before planting.
Starting Coneflower Seeds Indoors for Spring
Transplanting Coneflower Seedlings Outdoors in Spring
Starting Coneflower Seeds Outdoors in Spring
When and How:
Flower:
When: Harvest flowers when they begin to open up.
How: Use a sharp knife and cut the plant where the first healthy leaves are growing.
Root:
When: The root is harvested during the dormant period, preferably in the autumn after 2 or 3 years of growth (after the plant has gone to seed).
How: The roots are dug up with a garden fork or shovel, shaken free of dirt, and washed with a pressure hose. Large crowns will need to be hacked apart with a hatchet or machete in order to allow access to dirt and stones lodged at the base of the crown. Roots are pretty stable after washing and may be cold-stored or shipped over a period of several days without molding. However, it makes sense to make the fresh root tincture as soon as possible after washing, which will minimize oxidation.
Storage Req: Cool, Dry
Storage Temp: 50-65°F
Storage Length: 180-360 days
Flowers: Lay cut tops on a screen, or hang upside down in a dark place. Make sure they aren't so dense that air cannot circulate through them. When completely dry (crumbles when touched), store in a glass jar with tight fitting lids in a cool, dry place for up to 1 year.
Storage Req: Cool, Dry
Storage Temp: °F
Storage Length: 180-360 days
Seed Viability in Years: 5-8 Years
Germination Percentage: 80%
Suggested Varieties
(Monarda citriodora ‘Lemon’)
Lemon Bee Balm is a native annual herb that grows in sandy/rocky prairies or along roadsides throughout the southern United States. At maturity, this plant reaches a height of 24-36” and features square-like stems, narrow 2” lance-shaped leaves, and globular clusters of two-lipped flowers that are light pink to white. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, tolerates drought, makes insecticides, is resistant to deer, is both edible and medicinal, and is used as a cut flower!
(Monarda didyma 'Scarlet')
Scarlet Bee Balm is a native annual herb that is commonly found growing in moist woods, and along streams and rivers throughout the eastern United States. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 24-48” and features square like stems, 3-6” lance shaped, medium green leaves, and globular clusters of two-lipped aromatic flowers that are scarlet red. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and pollinating moths, is resistant to deer and rabbit, is both edible and medicinal, and is great as a cut flower!
(Monarda punctata ‘Spotted’)
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Spotted Bee Balm is a native clump-forming biennial herb that is commonly found growing in dry soils of prairies, and in sandy plains throughout the Midwest, southern, and eastern United States. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 12-24” and features 1-2' branching stems, 3” oblong, teethed, medium green leaves, showy pink bracts, and small, pale yellow flowers that are spotted with purple. This plant attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, tolerates drought, is resistant to deer, is both edible and medicinal, self sows, and is great as a cut flower!
(Digitalis purpurea ‘Foxglove’)
Foxglove is a biennial/short-lived perennial flower that is native to eastern Europe but can be commonly found growing in open woods, woodland clearings, moorland and heath margins, sea-cliffs, rocky mountain slopes, and hedge banks throughout the northeastern and northwestern United States. At maturity, this plant features thick, textured leaves at the base and tall spikes of tubular, dangling 2-3” blossoms of rose pink or purple with tiny contrasting spots. This plant attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, is resistant to deer and rabbits, and is used as a cut flower!
(Delphinium ajacis ‘Rocket Mix’)
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Rocket Larkspur is a cool-weather annual flower native to Eurasia but can be commonly found growing in open disturbed areas and along roadways, railroads, and drainage ditches throughout most of the United States. At maturity, this plant reaches a height of 36-48” and features finely cut, delicate foliage and tall spikes of semi-double blossoms in shades of pink, white, purple, and blue. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, is resistant to deer, can be used as a trap crop for Japanese beetles, and is used as a cut flower!
(P. somniferum var. paeoniflorum ‘Antique’)
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Antique Peony Poppy is an annual flower native to the Mediterranean region but grows throughout the northeastern and southwestern United States. At maturity, this plant reaches a height of 2-3' and features blue-green foliage and large 4” rose-like white flowers with pink and red stripes. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts bees, birds, butterflies, and self-sows, and is used as a cut flower.
(P. somniferum var. paeoniflorum ‘Black’)
Black Peony Poppy is an annual flower native to the Mediterranean region but grows throughout the northeastern and southwestern United States. At maturity, this plant reaches a height of 2-3' and features blue-green foliage and large 4” rose-like dark maroon flowers. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts bees, birds, butterflies, and self-sows, and is used as a cut flower.
(P. somniferum var. paeoniflorum ‘Cream’)
Cream Peony Poppy is an annual flower native to the Mediterranean region but grows throughout the northeastern and southwestern United States. At maturity, this plant reaches a height of 2-3' and features blue-green foliage and large 4” rose-like creamy white flowers. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts bees, birds, butterflies, and self-sows, and is used as a cut flower.
(P. somniferum var. paeoniflorum ‘Double Mix’)
Peony Poppy Double Mix is an annual flower native to the Mediterranean region but grows throughout the northeastern and southwestern United States. At maturity, this plant reaches a height of 2-3' and features blue-green foliage and large 4” rose-like flowers that range in color. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts bees, birds, butterflies, and self-sows, and is used as a cut flower.
(P. somniferum var. paeoniflorum ‘Pale Rose’)
Pale Rose Peony Poppy is an annual flower native to the Mediterranean region but grows throughout the northeastern and southwestern United States. At maturity, this plant reaches a height of 2-3' and features blue-green foliage and large 4” rose-like light pink flowers. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts bees, birds, butterflies, and self-sows, and is used as a cut flower.
(P. Somniferum Paeoniflorum ‘Purple’)
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Purple Peony Poppy is an annual flower native to the Mediterranean region but grows throughout the northeastern and southwestern United States. At maturity, this plant reaches a height of 2-3' and features blue-green foliage and large 4” rose-like purple grape-colored flowers. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts bees, birds, butterflies, and self-sows, and is used as a cut flower.
(P. somniferum var. paeoniflorum ‘Red’)
Red Peony Poppy is an annual flower native to the Mediterranean region but grows throughout the northeastern and southwestern United States. At maturity, this plant reaches a height of 2-3' and features blue-green foliage and large 4” rose-like red flowers. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts bees, birds, butterflies, and self-sows, and is used as a cut flower.