Ratibida columnifera f. pulcherrima
most beautiful upright prairie coneflower
An erect perennial, to 30cm tall, sometimes grown as an annual or biennial, with narrowly-divided, hairy, greyish-green foliage. From summer to autumn it bears daisy-like flowers with downward-facing red-brown petals, often with a yellow edge, and a tall, cylindrical centre starting pale green and turning red-brown
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Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metresTime to ultimate height
1–2 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Well–drainedpH
Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green Grey Silver | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Brown Green Red Yellow | Green Grey Silver | ||
| Autumn | Brown Green Red Yellow | Green Grey Silver | ||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or ShelteredDrought resistance
Yes Hardiness
H6Botanical details
- Family
- Asteraceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Bushy
- Genus
Ratibida are biennials or perennials with erect stems developing from woody-based crowns. The flowers have colourful, outer ray florets and a tall, central boss of green, then brown, disc florets
- Name status
Correct
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in dry, well-drained, neutral to slightly alkaline soil in full sun
Propagation
Propagate by seed sown in containers in a cold frame in early spring, or by division of young plants in spring
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- City and courtyard gardens
- Gravel garden
- Prairie planting
- Cottage and informal garden
- Patio and container plants
- Cut flowers
- Flower borders and beds
Pruning
No pruning required
Pests
Generally pest-free
Diseases
Generally disease-free
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.