Ratibida pinnata - Yellow Coneflower

The Ratibida pinnata is a plant that blooms all summer in the meadows of central and eastern United States, where it competes with tall grasses. Its large, oddly-shaped flowers, with slender pendulous petals of pure yellow topped by a dark cone, emerge from interesting foliage divided into narrow lobes. Perennial but not very long-lived, not always very hardy, it self-seeds very easily wherever it pleases. Ratibida, with its fearless temperament, is made for dynamic gardens, flowering meadows, and rustic flower beds. It thrives in full sun, in any moderately light garden soil, even rocky and fairly dry in summer.

The Ratibida pinnata belongs to the family of asteraceae, just like its cousin the echinacea, which it resembles. It is a herbaceous plant, perennial by its stump, with a lifespan of no more than 3 or 4 years. This species has fibrous roots and rhizomes. It quickly forms a clump about 1m (3ft) tall when in bloom (50cm (20in) for the foliage), with a spread of 50cm (20in). The foliage persists in winter if the plant is pruned in autumn. It consists of large leaves that can reach 40cm (16in) in length, divided into several large oval to lanceolate lobes, covered in rough hairs and of a gray-green colour. The flowering of Ratibida pinnata is particularly long-lasting; it renews from June to September if the soil remains somewhat moist. The branched floral stems develop at the end of each branching an inflorescence in a head, which we call a flower. Each head, 6 to 7cm (2 to 3in) wide, is composed of 6 to 15 thin, pendulous ligules, of a bright yellow colour. In the center of the head sits a cone bearing tiny fertile florets, which gradually change colour from green to almost blackish purple. These flowers are visited by numerous butterflies and pollinating insects. The plant produces numerous seeds that easily germinate in light soils. They are sought after by certain birds.

The Ratibida pinnata is a beautiful plant, both eccentric and elegant, unlike anything known. It can be used in sunny flower beds mixed with easy and generous annuals such as nigella, poppies, cosmos, amaranths or centaureas. Complete the scene by mixing in some California poppies or a few ornamental grasses like Panics, Schizachyrium scoparium Blue Heaven, Muhlenbergia capillaris. Splendid in the borders of flower beds, the whimsical and flamboyant flowers of Ratibida are also perfect in fresh or dried flower bouquets. Its association with Perovskias is very successful.