Mexican Hat (Ratibida columnifera) 'Yellow' is a cheerful and adaptable native perennial featuring bright golden-yellow petals that gracefully droop from a tall, central cone—creating a distinctive wildflower silhouette that moves beautifully in the breeze. Blooming from early summer into fall, it provides long-lasting color and essential nectar for bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. Yellow Mexican Hat is well-suited to water-wise garden beds and borders, prairie and meadow plantings, and rock gardens. Its finely cut foliage adds soft texture, and its deep roots make it an excellent choice for erosion control on tough, sunny sites.
Photo Credit: Jeff Coffman
Mexican Hat 'Yellow'
Irrigation Requirement: Very Low (Water to Establish) or Low (1/2" every 10-14 days)
Mature Size: 1 - 3' tall and 1 -2' wide
Spacing: 12 - 18" apart
Bloom Colors: Yellow
Bloom Season: June - September (the plant will bloom longer when given sufficient moisture)
Hardiness Zone: 4 - 9
Light Requirement: Full Sun
Deer Resistant: Yes
Salt Tolerant: Yes
Soils: Prefers well-draining sand or loam soils. Generally does not prefer clay, but will handle some if it's well-draining.
Mexican Hat is an excellent, long blooming nectar and pollen source for native pollinators, as well as providing a valuable seed source for birds in fall and winter.