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.