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Ratibida pinnata (Yellow Coneflower)

Ratibida pinnata (Yellow Coneflower)

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Regular price $ 1.60
Regular price Sale price $ 1.60
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$30 minimum per species for seed.

Each species requires a minimum of $30 of seed to proceed with checkout.

Pure Live Seed

Seed is provided in Pure Live Seed (PLS) unless otherwise stated.

Pure Live Seed (PLS) refers to the percentage of a seed lot that consists of the desired species and is viable (capable of germination).   

Here's why PLS is crucial for native seeds:

  • Accurate Planting:
    • PLS helps determine the actual number of viable seeds in a given weight or volume of seed.   
    • This ensures you plant the correct amount of seed to achieve the desired density and success rate.   
  • Cost-Effectiveness:
    • By knowing the PLS, you can avoid overspending on seed that may not germinate.
    • This is especially important for native seeds, which can be more expensive than some cultivated varieties.
  • Weed Control:
    • PLS helps minimize the presence of weed seeds within the seed lot.
    • This reduces competition for resources and ensures the successful establishment of the desired native plants.
  • Ecological Restoration:
    • Using high-quality native seeds with a high PLS is essential for successful ecological restoration projects.
    • It helps to re-establish diverse and resilient plant communities that support local wildlife.

Weight Conversions lbs. to oz.

0.01 pounds = 0.16 ounces

  • 0.1 pounds = 1.6 ounces
  • 0.25 pounds  = 4 ounces
  • 0.5 pounds = 8 ounces
  • 0.75 pounds = 12 ounces
  • 1.00 pounds = 16 ounces

Ratibida pinnata (Yellow Coneflower) is a keystone Midwest native species highly prized by restoration ecologists, landscape architects, and home gardeners. Known for its strong ecological resilience, exceptional wildlife support, and a floristic C-Value of 4, this hardy perennial thrives in full sun across mesic to dry-mesic (tallgrass prairies & roadside rights-of-way) soils. Whether you are creating a dedicated pollinator garden, stabilizing soil on slopes, or restoring remnant prairie and woodland acreage, Natural Communities supplies this species in dependable formats—including deep-cell live plugs, bare-root stock, individual seed packets, and bulk Pure Live Seed (PLS) by weight.

Comprehensive Ecological & Growth Specifications

Botanical Name Ratibida pinnata
Alternate Common Names Yellow Coneflower, Ratibida pinnata
Plant Family Asteraceae (Aster / Prairie Coneflower Family)
Regional Native Status Native
Native Range (States) AL, AR, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MI, MN, MO, MS, NE, NY, OH, OK, PA, SD, TN, TX, VA, WI, WV
Midwest & Regional County Distribution IL: Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, Will, Kendall, Boone, Winnebago, DeKalb, Ogle, Lee, LaSalle; WI: Kenosha, Racine, Walworth, Rock, Dane, Green, Jefferson, Milwaukee; IN: Lake, Porter, LaPorte, Newton, Jasper
Primary Native Habitats Mesic Prairies, Tallgrass Prairies, Savannas, Pastures
USDA Hardiness Zones Zone 3 - 8
Sunlight Exposure Full Sun
Soil Moisture Range Mesic to Dry-Mesic (Tallgrass Prairies & Roadside Rights-of-Way)
Soil pH Range 5.6 - 6.8
Height at Maturity 3' - 5'
Spread & Growth Habit Clumping / Well-Mannered (Non-aggressive)
Root Architecture & Depth Deep Taproot System (18+ Depth)
Deer & Wildlife Resistance High to Moderate
Drought Tolerance High
Salt Tolerance Low to Moderate
Larval Host Status Silvery Checkerspot (Chlosyne nycteis) & Specialist Borer Moths
Specialist Insects & Wildlife Support Melissodes trinodis (Coneflower/Sunflower Long-Horned Bee), Megachile pugnata (Specialist Leafcutter Bee), Andrena helianthi (Sunflower Miner Bee), Silvery Checkerspot (Chlosyne nycteis)
Ecological Function High Drought & Heat Resilience, Erosion Control on Dry Slopes & Kames, Early/Late Pollinator Forage Hub, Root Biomass & Soil Structure Improvement
Coefficient of Conservatism (C-Value) 4
Germination Code / Stratification A
ACOE Wetland Indicator Status FAC
Recommended Plug Spacing 18 to 24 on-center
Plant Associates Andropogon gerardii (Big Bluestem), Sorghastrum nutans (Indian Grass), Monarda fistulosa (Wild Bergamot / Bee Balm), Silphium laciniatum (Compass Plant), Echinacea purpurea (Purple Coneflower), Pycnanthemum virginianum (Common Mountain Mint)
Seed Packet Coverage Covers 100 to 250 sq. ft.
Seeds Per Pound 427500.0
Broadcast Seeding Rate (PLS) 0.50 – 1.00 lbs/acre PLS
Toxicity & Pet Safety Non-toxic / Safe for native wildlife & domestic pets

Botanical Profile & Ecological Characteristics

Ratibida pinnata plays a critical role in establishing healthy, diverse native plant communities throughout the Midwest. Adapted over thousands of years to regional climate patterns, seasonal temperature extremes, and variable moisture conditions, it develops a resilient root architecture (deep taproot system (18"+ depth)) that builds soil organic matter, improves water infiltration, and resists environmental stress.

Ratibida pinnata (Yellow Coneflower) is a perennial native flower. It has bright yellow flowers that can be great for certain pollinators.  The crushed seed head has a fruity or even fruit loops smell. Seems to work well in clayey and marginal soils and reproduces freely.

  • Sun Exposure Prairie/Savanna
  • Soil Conditions  Mesic, Dry Mesic
  • Height 4'-5'
  • Flower Color Yellow
  • Flower Time July-September
  • Faunal Associations & Specialist Wildlife Support

    As a vital resource in native ecosystems, Ratibida pinnata provides essential sustenance across multiple trophic levels:

    • Larval Host & Pollinator Support: Silvery Checkerspot (Chlosyne nycteis) & Specialist Borer Moths.
    • Specialist Floral Visitors: Melissodes trinodis (Coneflower/Sunflower Long-Horned Bee), Megachile pugnata (Specialist Leafcutter Bee), Andrena helianthi (Sunflower Miner Bee), Silvery Checkerspot (Chlosyne nycteis).
    • Avian & Insect Forage: Flowers provide dense, accessible nectar and pollen during the peak growing season, followed by nutritious seed heads that feed native songbirds and overwintering wildlife.

    Native Plant Associates & Community Ecology

    In authentic Midwestern habitats—such as Mesic Prairies, Tallgrass Prairies, Savannas, Pastures—Ratibida pinnata naturally co-occurs and establishes balanced, biodiverse communities alongside:

    Landscape Applications & Restoration Guidelines

    Ratibida pinnata is well-suited for home landscaping borders, rain gardens, naturalized meadows, and conservation acreage alike.

    • Plug Spacing: Space live plugs approximately 18" to 24" on-center for optimal crown development and contiguous ground coverage.
    • Broadcast Seeding Rate: 0.50 – 1.00 lbs/acre PLS (when included in diverse prairie seed mixes).
    • Regional Provenance: Sourced and propagated from regionally adapted Midwest ecotypes for maximum ecological fitness and cold hardiness.

    Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

    What are the ideal growing conditions for Yellow Coneflower?
    Ratibida pinnata performs best in full sun with mesic to dry-mesic (tallgrass prairies & roadside rights-of-way) conditions. It thrives in authentic regional soil types ranging from sandy loam to well-drained clay loams.

    How do I germinate and establish Yellow Coneflower from seed?
    Seed of Ratibida pinnata has a germination code of Code A (no pre-treatment required). Seeds can be sown directly in spring into warm, prepared soil.

    Is Yellow Coneflower deer and herbivore resistant?
    Yes. Native plants adapted to Midwestern habitats naturally produce protective secondary compounds and fibrous textures that make them highly resistant to deer, rabbits, and other grazing herbivores.

    When should I expect Yellow Coneflower to emerge and bloom?
    Established plants break dormancy in spring as soil temperatures warm, developing vigorous foliage before blooming in their seasonal window to provide vital nectar when native pollinators need it most.

    Plant Shipping & Care

    We want to ensure that our customers get what they want, a native backyard oasis. To do that, we need to follow a few simple guidelines and give you some information and pointers to make sure you get your plants delivered in a healthy state.

    As a reminder, you will receive an email to confirm your pickup or shipping window just before the plants are ready. See Order Fulfillment below for seasonal fulfillment windows.

     

    Choices to Receive Your Plants & Accessories

    • Retail - We only offer shipping & shipping is calculated at check out*
      • We do not offer retail pick up
    • Wholesale - Delivery is customized based on order size and location
    • Wholesale - Pickup is free

     

    Order Fulfilment - When Your Plants or Other Items Will Be Ready

    We take orders all year long and seed is shipped all year, but we only provide the plants to you in certain fulfillment windows to ensure healthy plants.

    Wholesale Orders

    • Shipped or are Ready For Pick Up As Requested.

     

    Retail & Website Orders

    • Seed Typically Ships Out Within One Week Of Order All Year Long
    • Typically, single species flats ship when ready, sometimes as soon as early to mid-April (depends on weather) through early-October.
    • Mixed species kits are batched and shipped as indicated on the product page.
    • If a plant order is placed while outside of the plant fulfillment window your plants will be reserved through your payment, however, the order will not be fulfilled and shipped until the following spring. We don't want to provide you plants when they won't be happy during the cold winter months. 
    • Early in the spring and later in the fall certain species may be dormant or partially dormant with brown leaves, however they will return to grow healthy next growing season.
    • Your order may arrive in several different shipments.
    • If certain plants within an order will not be available until a later date, we may choose to hold the full order until all are ready.  In certain circumstances, we may choose to send them in two separate shipments 
    • Fulfillment is always dependent upon plant availability.  We try our best but sometimes plants do not overwinter well and perish.  If a plant is on back order you will receive an email indicating the estimated shipping date.  If we can not provide the plant we will first notify you and give you an option of substitution or a refund of that individual species.
    • Plants are typically only packaged and shipped on Mondays to ensure they do not sit in the harsh delivery facility for extended periods of time over the weekend. You will receive a confirmation email once your delivery has been shipped and to estimate your delivery date.
    • Apparel & accessories are ready typically within one to two weeks. See product page for holiday shipping.

    Where We Ship

     

     

          What to Expect When Receiving Your Delivery

          • Your plants will be packaged with the utmost care
          • We will need to cut back certain plants prior to shipping. This seems counter-intuitive, however, the fewer leaves the less water the plants can lose during shipping, resulting in healthier plants for you. This also enables the plants to fit within the protective packaging and shipped safely.

           

             Shipments

            • Larger plant shipments will look similar to the picture below with a tray of your plants and a cardboard box to protect them during shipping.

             

             

            What to Do With Your Plants After  Receiving Your Delivery

            • Unpack your order IMMEDIATELY
            • Inspect for damage and report any issues immediately to Natives@NaturalCommunities.net
            • Water your plants
            • Install your plants as quickly as possible and water the entire garden area thoroughly
            • If you cannot install your plants immediately
              • Some plants may not be in a container, put them into some kind of a container such as a paper cup with loose soil until installation
              • Make sure each plant is receiving the appropriate amount of light.
              • Continue to water daily each morning and possibly again in the afternoon
              • No additional fertilizer is needed
            How to install native plugs

            Seed Shipping & Care

            There is a minimum order requirement of $30 for each seed species. Seed ships all year and typically ships within a week of an order being placed.

            We have attempted to put together some basic information regarding native seed installation, establishment, and maintenance.  We hope you find it helpful.  If you need further assistance on native seed establishment, please schedule a free consolation call here.

            Consultation Services

            Ecosystem Restoration Considerations

            Native Seed Establishment Best Management Practices

            Native Seed Stratification Best Management Practices

            View full details

            Solving a Site Problem? Get Expert Advice + Get Store Credit

            Whether you're fighting severe erosion, replacing invasive species, designing a pollinator haven, or seeding large acreage, choosing the wrong species wastes time and money. Talk 1-on-1 with a restoration ecologist to map out the exact species, plug counts, or seed mixes for your soil and goals. Book a consultation and get all or a portion credited directly back to your order.

            Questions & Answers

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