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Ratibida columnifera - Mexican Hat

Ratibida columnifera
Upright Prairie Coneflower, Long-headed Coneflower, Mexican Hat

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Very good germination

Asseraf X., 16/05/2023

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Unusual and beautiful small flowers, composed of a collar of petals or trailing ligules. They are brick-red with a golden-yellow edge, surrounding a prominent central cone. The cone changes from very pale-green to reddish-brown. The flowers bloom throughout summer on a clump of slightly greyish-green delicate foliage, measuring 70 to 80cm (28 to 32in) in height. This short-lived perennial is easy to grow in the sun, in ordinary garden soil, even fairly dry in summer. Honey-producing, it is perfect in a wildflower border or in a meadow where it self-seeds naturally. Sow from March to June, in a warm greenhouse or directly in place. Autumn sowing is possible in mild climates.
Flower size
4 cm
Height at maturity
75 cm
Exposure
Sun
Annual / Perennial
Perennial
Germination time (days)
21 days
Sowing method
Direct sowing, Sowing under cover, Sowing under cover with heat
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Sowing period March to June, October
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Flowering time June to September
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Description

Ratibida columnifera, commonly known as the Sombrero or Mexican hat plant, has a light appearance and abundant and unusual summer flowering that irresistibly catches the eye. Its flamboyant brick red and golden yellow flowers highlight an oversized central cone. Native to the great plains of the United States, this short-lived perennial self-seeds freely. It is perfect for dynamic gardens, flowery meadows, and countryside beds. Hardy, generous, undemanding, and very water-efficient, it is easy to grow in the sun, in any not too heavy garden soil, even fairly dry in summer.

 

Ratibida columnifera belongs to the Asteraceae family, just like its cousin echinacea, which it resembles. In its native lands, it is called long-headed echinacea, or prairie coneflower. It is an herbaceous plant, perennial by its stump, with a lifespan of no more than 3 or 4 years. It quickly forms a clump about 75cm (30in) tall and 50cm (20in) wide, composed of numerous leafy and branched stems. The foliage persists in winter if the plant is pruned in autumn. It consists of very finely divided grey-green leaves with linear segments,. They are slightly velvety, reminiscent of cosmos. The flowering is particularly long. It renews from June to September if the soil remains somewhat moist. At the ends of the stems, brick red flowers appear. They are heads composed of a collar of velvety, trailing petals or ligules, bordered with golden yellow. In the centre, a column of fertile florets reigns, its colour ranging from pale-green to yellow and then reddish-brown. These flowers are visited by numerous butterflies and pollinating insects. The plant produces many seeds that easily germinate in light soils. They are sought after by certain birds.

 

Ratibida columnifera is a plant with a unique personality: both light and whimsical, it resembles nothing known. It is used in sunny beds mixed with easy and generous annuals such as nigellas, poppies, cosmos, amaranths, or centaureas. Complete the scene by mingling it with California poppies or some ornamental grasses like Stipa tenuifolia, Schizachyrium scoparium 'Blue Heaven', or Muhlenbergia capillaris. Splendid in border beds, Ratibida's whimsical and flamboyant flowers are also perfect in fresh or dried flower bouquets. Its association with the shrubby Artemisia 'Powis Castle' is superb.

 

Ratibida columnifera - Mexican Hat in pictures

Ratibida columnifera - Mexican Hat (Flowering) Flowering
Ratibida columnifera - Mexican Hat (Plant habit) Plant habit

Flowering

Flower colour two-tone
Flowering time June to September
Inflorescence Flower head
Flower size 4 cm
Bee-friendly Attracts pollinators
Good for cut flowers Cut flower blooms

Foliage

Foliage persistence Semi-evergreen
Foliage colour green

Plant habit

Height at maturity 75 cm
Spread at maturity 35 cm
Growth rate fast

Botanical data

Genus

Ratibida

Species

columnifera

Family

Asteraceae

Other common names

Upright Prairie Coneflower, Long-headed Coneflower, Mexican Hat

Origin

North America

Product reference170041

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Planting and care

Sowing:

Ratibida seeds need a cold period to germinate well.

Sow in March-April under a warm frame at a minimum of 20°C (68°F) and plant out in May with a spacing of 25cm (10in). From May to June, sow directly in place, thinning to 25cm (10in) in all directions when the plants reach 8 to 10cm (3 to 4in) in height.

Autumn sowing is also possible to obtain larger and earlier flowers. Transplant in a warm nursery and plant out in spring with a spacing of 25cm (10in). In mild regions, it can also be sown directly in place in October. Thin to leave only one plant every 25cm (10in).

 

Cultivation:

Plant in spring, or at the latest in early autumn in mild regions. It thrives in full sun, in loose and well-drained garden soil, that is not too heavy (a mix of garden soil, compost, and fine gravel will be perfect). Choose its location carefully, as this plant does not appreciate being disturbed. Once well established, it withstands dry summers well. However, occasional watering in summer will be appreciated in dry regions to support flowering. Remove faded flowers as they appear if you want to avoid spontaneous seeding. Divide the clump after 3 years to rejuvenate the plant, or let it die and self-seed (plants from seed may not be identical to the mother plant). Prune the foliage clump in autumn, as this will encourage the plant to develop new foliage that will persist in winter. Ratibida has good hardiness, but clayey and waterlogged soils are detrimental to it. Acidic soils should be avoided, but limestone is well tolerated.

 Ratibida is not prone to diseases or pests.

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Sowing period

Sowing period March to June, October
Sowing method Direct sowing, Sowing under cover, Sowing under cover with heat
Germination time (days) 21 days

Intended location

Suitable for Meadow
Type of use Border, Edge of border
Hardiness Hardy down to -15°C (USDA zone 7b) Show map
Ease of cultivation Amateur
Exposure Sun
Soil pH Any
Soil moisture Dry soil, Moist soil, deep, loose, light
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