Yellow coneflower is a rhizomatous perennial herb native to central and eastern USA in the daisy family (Asteraceae). It is found growing in fields, prairies and dry open woods. It is very rare in NC and may have naturalized from cultivated sources ("wildflower" seeds). The specific epithet is Latin for "pinnate" and refers to the pinnate leaves. Yellow coneflower will grow up to 5 feet tall and prefers clay loam to sandy loam soils in full sun and is adaptable to dry to moist conditions and various soils. It is very easy to grow in full sun to partial shade. It is drought- and poor soil-tolerant, so don't overwater or over-fertilize. Planting it near larger shrubs will help to support the plant, which may tend to flop over. Propagation is from seeds or division. The yellow ray petals surround a central gray dome of disk flowers in summer. The green leaves are compound with 3 to 7 divisions. Use this plant in the pollinator or butterfly garden in the back border, in masse, in naturalized areas, meadows or open woodland. This plant can also be used in rain gardens, children's gardens, cottage gardens, cutting gardens or drought-tolerant gardens. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Clay; Loam (Silt); Sand; Shallow Rocky
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist | Occasionally Dry
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Erect
Texture
Medium
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Rosulate
Leaf shape
Elliptical; Lanceolate
Leaf margin
Entire; Lobed; Serrate
Leaf feel
Rough
Leaf size
> 6 inches long, 3-6 inches wide
Hairs present
Yes
Leaf detail
Pinnately divided glandular leaves with 3 to 7 segments and may be further divided. Margins may be slightly dentate or entire and have stiff whitish hairs. The largest basal leaves are up to 8 inches long and 5 inches across. Stem leaves are smaller and sparse.
Flower color
Gold/Yellow
Flower value
Good Cut; Long Bloom Season; Long-lasting; Showy
Flower form
Head
Flower shape
Radial
Flower size
1-3 inches
Flower detail
Up to 13 extremely reflexed yellow ray florets are 1 to 3 inches long and surround an oblong, grayish center with many disk florets; anise scent when bruised. Blooms early to late summer.
Bloom time
Summer
Fruit type
Achene
Fruit size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
Seeds are formed in the disc flowers
Stem detail
Tall slender slightly ridged stems with hairs.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Native
Origin
South East Canada to U.S.A
Distribution
AL , AR , CT , FL , GA , IA , IL , IN , KS , KY , LA , MA , MI , MN , MO , MS , NE , NY , OH , OK , PA , SC , SD , TN , VA , VT , WI , WV
Wildlife value
Attracts pollinators, especially bees. Host plant to Silvery Checkerspot butterfly as well as some moths. Goldfinches will eat the seeds.