Mexican Hat Coneflower

Commonly called long-headed coneflower or prairie coneflower, this clump-forming native grows 1–3 feet tall and features distinctive flowers with a long, cylindrical dark center disk and drooping yellow (or sometimes brownish-purple) rays that bloom through summer. Native to the Great Plains and adapted to prairies and open sites, it thrives in full sun and well-drained soils, tolerating drought and poorer conditions but not heavy, wet clay. With its finely cut foliage and unique “Mexican hat” shape, it works best when massed in borders, meadows, or native plantings, where it adds texture and seasonal interest.