Species long-head coneflower
lime-brown cone and yellow-red petals with green stem

long-head coneflower

Ratibida columnifera 'Buttons and Bows'

Long-headed coneflower (Ratibida columnifera ‘Buttons and Bows’) is an upright sunflower-like perennial native to the southern United States. It has unique flared “buttons” and “bows” at the tips of its long, narrow petals. Its daisy-like yellow flowerheads are borne on upright wiry stems up to 3 feet tall. The foliage is coarse yet lacy with gray-green linear leaves. Long-head coneflower will bloom from summer through fall and attract butterflies and pollinators. This sun-loving plant is drought tolerant and grows best when planted in well-drained soil. Showcase ‘Buttons and Bows’ in full sun locations for a memorable addition to the garden.

Cycle:

Herbaceous Perennial

Watering:

Minimum

Propagation:

Seed Propagation,Division,Root Cutting

Hardiness Zone:

3 - 8

Flowers:

Golden-edged rusty rays and brown center disks Flowers

Sun:

Full sun

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green

Growth Rate:

Low

Maintenance:

Moderate

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Care Level:

Moderate

watering

This plant species prefers moist soil, so it should be watered regularly throughout the growing season. During the spring and summer, water Long-head Coneflower (Ratibida columnifera 'Buttons and Bows') once or twice a week if there is no natural rainfall in the area. During periods of prolonged drought, water more frequently, making sure the soil is kept evenly moist. In the autumn, reduce your watering frequency to once a week or less, as the plant’s growth will naturally slow down. Make sure to avoid over-watering your Long-head Coneflower, as this will increase the risk of root rot.

sunlight

Long-head coneflowers should be exposed to full sun for around 6-8 hours each day for optimal growth and flowering. They prefer a warm to hot environment and can even handle some drought conditions. While they do not need direct sunlight, they will thrive in bright, full sunlight during the growing season. During the winter, they should be watered sparingly and left in a location that receives a bit less light. Once temperatures in the spring become warm again, the plant should be moved to an area that receives plenty of sunshine.

pruning

Long-head coneflower (Ratibida columnifera 'Buttons and Bows') should be pruned in late winter or early spring each year in order to keep the plant looking its best. Pruning should be light, to remove only dead and dried up stems. Doing so will help encourage growth of new stems. If the plant has become overgrown, you can do a hard prune by cutting it back by 1-half at this time. Pruning should be done with clean, sharp shears to minimize stress on the plant.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Starts Flowering

Ratibida columnifera 'Buttons and Bows' typically starts flowering in late spring, usually in May or June.

Starts Flowering

Ratibida columnifera 'Buttons and Bows' typically starts flowering in late spring, usually in May or June.

Hardiness Map