Yellow-edged red petals create a striking display on the rare, easy-to-grow wildflower. Fast growing, it does surprisingly well in even poor soil. Often blooming by the thousands - birds, butterflies & bees love them!
These curious little "Mexican Hats" make a fun cut flower, as well as being an interesting point of interest in wildflower gardens, prairies, meadows, and cottage gardens. The colorful flower heads resemble the traditional broad-brimmed, high-centered hat worn during Mexican fiestas.
This perennial is a native of the Great Plains, and so does well in hot, dry conditions. Native coneflowers have a reputation for establishing themselves in soil that few other plants would tolerate. They have a long-lived persistence, and also attract butterflies and songbirds.
English naturalist Thomas Nuttall first documented this species on one of his many expeditions throughout western America. The Latin name "columnifera" means "column," referring to the prominent center of each blossom.
Common Names:
Red-Spike Mexican-Hat, Upright Prairie Coneflower
Latin Name:
Ratibida columnifera pulcherrima
Species Origin:
US Native Wildflower
Life Cycle:
Perennial
USDA Zones:
3-10
US Regions:
California, Mountain, Arid/Desert, Plains/Texas, Midwest, Northern, Northeast, Southeast
Stratification:
Cold/Wet for 4 Weeks
Germination Ease:
Stratify 4 Weeks
Sunlight:
Full Sun
Height:
24 Inches
Color:
Red, Yellow
Bloom Season:
Blooms Early Summer, Blooms Late Summer
Uses:
Attracts Pollinators, Attracts Butterflies, Cut Flowers, Deer Resistant
• Scroll down for detailed growing info •
All Nimble NiteCap Seeds are:
• Heirloom
• Organic
• Non-GMO
• Open Pollinated
• Untreated
• US Grown
• growing instructions included
• Regular testing is conducted to uphold the highest germination standards, all the while employing appropriate seed storage techniques.
Sustainable Packaging & Shipping:
• NimbleNitecap seeds are packed in eco-friendly, compostable seed packets. Seed packets are printed in house with vegetable-based inks on biodegradable, recycled materials. (Small plastic bags are infrequently used to prevent the loss of very small seeds.)
• All orders are carefully packed and shipped with tracking via USPS First Class (or Priority, if selected) in padded ECOENCLOSE recycled and reusable mailers, or recycled boxes to protect your items in transit.
Most orders ship out the same or next business day! Please note that this time may be extended during peak season.
• FREE SHIPPING on all orders of $35 or more. Flat Rate shipping no matter how many packets you order.
• DIRECTIONS •
~ sowing ~
Direct sow in late fall, pressing into the surface of the soil since this plant needs light to germinate. For spring planting, mix the Mexican hat seeds with moist sand and store in the refrigerator for 30 days before planting.
Keep the soil lightly moist until germination, which usually takes 3-4 weeks. The Ratibida Columnifera Pulcherrima seeds can also be started indoors 8-10 weeks before planting in spring. Keep seedlings lightly moist, and transplant them as soon as they have developed several leaves.
~ growing ~
Water seedlings regularly until they become established, and control weeds. When grown from seed, these plants usually begin blooming in their second year. Mature plants tolerate drought well and flourish in fairly dry soil, though they will benefit from occasional watering in dry weather.
The blooming period tends to be longer with occasional watering. Mature plants can be divided every 2-3 years for healthy growth. This plant attracts butterflies and repels deer, as well as growing well in rocky, sandy, or clay soil. It makes an excellent choice for hot, dry areas.
~ harvesting ~
For cut flowers, choose stems with flowers that have just opened. Strip the foliage that will fall below the water level, and place in water immediately.
~ seed saving ~
After the petals fall from the blossom, the cone will darken and develop ripe seed. As soon as the seed turns nearly black and can be rubbed loose from the cone, cut the ripe cones from the plant and spread them to dry. Thresh the plant material to separate the seed from the stems. Store the Mexican hat seeds in a cool, dry place.
