Gray-headed coneflower

Gray-headed Coneflower

Scientific Name
Ratibida pinnata
Order
Asterales
Family
Asteraceae
Type
Perennial
Endangered Status
n/a
Number of Recorded Individuals at the Zoo
253

Gray-headed coneflower has vivid yellow ray florets that point away from dull gray central disks that resemble elongated cylinders. The flowers bloom from early to late summer among pinnately divided leaves, which have prevalent texture. This perennial prefers clay or sandy soil in full sun and is most effective grown in large groups or along sunny borders. Goldfinches are drawn to this plant for its seeds, and bees visit its flowers for pollen.

Native Range
Central North America
USDA Hardiness Zone
3–8
Average Mature Height
4 feet
Flower Color
Yellow
Flowering Months
June–August
Supports
Bees and birds

Second Saturday Garden Tours

Join fellow nature lovers for a free, guided tour of Lincoln Park Zoo’s diverse plant life and ecosystems. During each tour, a zoo horticulturist will point out interesting species in bloom, answer questions from guests, and discuss the horticulture program’s past, present, and future.

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Closeup of leaves on a tree

An Accredited Arboretum

In 2019, Lincoln Park Zoo earned Level II arboretum accreditation in recognition of the Horticulture staff’s ongoing effort to identify, label, and monitor the more than 330 species of trees, shrubs, and woody plants represented across the 49-acre park.

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