Yellow Coneflower, or Prairie Coneflower, is a tall, graceful perennial wildflower. It features drooping golden-yellow petals surrounding a prominent dark brown central cone. Blooming throughout the summer, it attracts a wide variety of pollinators and adds movement and height to native plantings.

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Growth Habits & Characteristics:

• Height: 3–5 feet

• Spread: 1–2 feet

• Sun Requirements: Full sun to light shade

• Soil Preferences: Well-drained loamy, sandy, or rocky soils; drought-tolerant

• Lifespan: Perennial

• Bloom Time: Mid to late summer (June–August)

• Water Needs: Low to moderate; tolerates dry conditions once established

• Growth Habit: Tall and airy, with deeply lobed, pinnate leaves and slender stems

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Host Insect:

Serves as a host plant for the silvery checkerspot butterfly, wavy lined emerald moth, and several other species of Lepidoptera.

Pollinator Importance:

• Attracts native bees, including long-horned bees and bumblebees.

• Supports butterflies such as Monarchs and Swallowtails as a nectar source.

• Goldfinches and other songbirds feed on the seed heads in fall and winter.

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Companion Plants:

• Schizachyrium scoparium (Little Bluestem) – Provides structure and complements Yellow Coneflower’s tall, airy habit.

• Echinacea purpurea (Purple Coneflower) – Adds contrasting purple tones and extends the bloom season.

• Asclepias tuberosa (Butterfly Weed) – Supports Monarch caterpillars and thrives in similar dry conditions.

• Liatris spicata (Blazing Star) – Provides a vertical accent with its spiky purple blooms.

• Coreopsis lanceolata (Lanceleaf Coreopsis) – Complements with bright yellow flowers and attracts pollinators.

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Ecological Importance:

• Pollinator Magnet: Supports a wide range of bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects.

• Bird Food Source: Seed heads provide sustenance for songbirds in fall and winter.

• Drought Resilience: Thrives in dry, disturbed soils, making it an excellent prairie restoration plant.

• Erosion Control: Deep root system helps stabilize soil in open landscapes.

• Biodiversity Booster: Contributes to healthy prairie and meadow ecosystems by providing food and habitat for wildlife.