Ratibida-Mexican Hat, Prairie Coneflower

Propagating Ratibida or Mexican Hat can be done in the spring, be careful it is slow to emerge its stems out of the ground, by digging up the clump and separating the roots, crowns are often woody, and transplant. It is a member of the Aster family. It will bloom from April until frost if deadheaded but if you decide that you want seedlings, do not deadhead, but it can be invasive in the average garden bed. Ratibida is drought resistant and reaches a height of 2'-3' and its blooms can be brown, maroon, yellow or red and prefers full sun. It is deciduous, deer resistant, attracts butterflies, and the birds enjoy the seeds in fall/winter.