Prairie coneflower is a rhizomatous herbaceous perennial native to the central USA in the daisy family (Asteraceae). It is found growing in fields, prairies and dry open woods. It is very rare in NC and may have naturalized from cultivated sources ("wildflower" seeds). The specific epithet is Latin for “having a column” and is in reference to the elongate receptacle in the heads of flowers. Prairie coneflower will grow up to 3 feet tall and prefers clay loam to sandy loam soils in full sun and is adaptable to dry to moist conditions and various soils. It is intolerant of heavy clay soils. It is very easy to grow in full sun to partial shade. It is drought- and poor soil-tolerant, so there is generally no need for fertilizer or extensive irrigation. Propagation is from seeds or division. The yellow ray petals surround a central dark column of disk flowers in summer. The green leaves are compound with 3 to 7 divisions. Use this plant in the pollinator or wildflower garden in the back border, in masse, in naturalized areas, meadows or open woodland. This plant can also be used in rain gardens, children's gardens, butterfly gardens, cutting gardens or dry gardens. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Clumping; Erect
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
Hairs present
No
Flower color
Brown/Copper; Gold/Yellow
Flower value
Good Cut; Long Bloom Season; Long-lasting; Showy
Flower form
Head
Flower detail
The heads are elongated into a column-like shape. The ray flowers may be brownish-red or chestnut colored, often with yellow tips. The disk flowers are darker and open first at the base of the column. As the inflorescence ages, flowering moves up the column.