Native to the Plain States from Canada down to Mexico, the Mexican Hat’s flowers resemble sombreros. The distinctive, black cone-heads that protrude above the drooping petals are flanked by fiery, red petals edged in yellow.
Ratibida columnifera is a heavy bloomer, with a mature plant producing hundreds of flowers aloft blue-green, feathery foliage. Blooming in late spring through to July, they will often continue into August and September if moisture is available.

This visually striking plant, which is seldom seen, can be used as bedding or in borders as an intriguing cut flower which last about a week.
Hardy to around -38°C (-38°F), this drought tolerant perennial is easy to grow from seed, quick growing and will thrive on neglect in dry and sunny locations. Although naturally perennial they can also be used to great effect as a summer annual.

They make a lovely display for borders and are excellent in wildlife gardens, attracting several different butterfly species. The seed heads, which give off an anise aroma when crushed, are eaten by birds in the autumn. Plant in wide drifts to create a prairie effect in the garden.

Sowing:
Sow in late winter to spring or in autumn to early winter
Sow directly outdoors:
Sow where they are to flower in early spring 4 to 6 weeks before the last frost date, when the soil is cool and a light frost is still possible. Prepare the ground well and rake to a fine tilth before sowing.
In flower beds, sow 20mm (3/4in) deep in rows 30cm (12in) apart. For larger areas, seeding rate is one to two kilos per acre.
Be sure the seed is in good contact with the soil by lightly raking it into loose topsoil.
Supplemental watering may be required if the winter and spring are unusually dry. Watering in summer often extends the flowering period.

Sowing indoors:
Sow in late winter to spring or in autumn to early winter. Sow the seed onto the surface of a good free draining, damp, seed compost and cover with a fine sprinkling of compost or vermiculite and place the pot in a sunny location. Do not exclude light, as this helps germination. Optimum germination temperatures are between 20 to 30°C (68 to 86ºF).
The compost should be kept moist but not wet at all times. Germination is usually within two weeks.
Thin (prick out) to 7.5cm (3in) pots when seedlings have developed two proper leaves and are large enough to handle. After all risk of frost has passed, gradually acclimatise to outdoor conditions for 10 to 15 days before planting out. Space 24cm (8in) apart.

Cultivation:
Mexican Hat has low to moderate water requirements and is quite drought tolerant but in a dry summer watering will extend flowering. In their native areas they grow in soil that is rich in limestone but are very adaptable to other soils.
To make sure the plants remain vigorous divide them every two to three years as soon as growth begins in spring.
Larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions, pot up smaller divisions and grow them on in light shade in a greenhouse or cold frame until they are established. Plant out in the summer or the following spring.
After flowering ceases, allow seed to completely mature (let cones become dry and brown) before mowing for reseeding or collecting seed to plant in another area. Seeds can be harvested in October and November. Clip the cones from the stems and rub the seeds off into a bowl to collect them.

Plant Uses:
Cottage/Informal Garden, Flower Arranging, Borders and Beds, Dry Garden, Prairie planting.

Origin:
Mexican Hat is native to most regions of the United States, it's natural range is dry open ground, and disturbed sites extending from south-western Canada to northern Mexico, east to Minnesota and Texas.
Cheyenne Indians boiled prairie coneflower leaves and stems to make a solution applied externally to draw the poison out of rattlesnake bites. A decoction was used as a wash to relieve pain and to treat poison ivy rash.
An infusion was used to relieve the pain of headaches and to treat stomach aches and fevers.
Pronounced: rah-TIB-id-ah kol-lum-NIF-er-ah.