Mexican Hat Plant

North American prairie plants are becoming more available to the home gardener and for good reason. They are as attractive as they are hard working. The Mexican Hat Plant, also called Upright Prairie Coneflower, is one native that deserves to have its moment. The diminutive coneflowers have a ring of deep rusty red, reflexed petals that make the bloom head look a bit like a sombrero and attract native pollinators and other beneficial insects like crazy.The Mexican Hat Plant is a nice addition to a cutting garden. The fresh blooms last for a long time in an arrangement and they also keep their color well when dried. Upright Prairie Coneflower can be mixed in a meadow planting, left to naturalize a more wild part of your property or grown as an addition to a mixed seasonal container planting.Mexican Hat Plant CareAll Coneflowers appreciate full sun and soil that is quick draining, while consistently moist. Supplemental watering is needed for the first year or two until the Mexican Hat Plant is fully established. Mulching the soil around this perennial will ensure that little extra fertilizing will be needed. Native plants do not normally need extra food when they are planted in the right place. A neutral to alkaline soil is what this native needs to thrive.Mexican Hat Plant multiples easily from seed and by root divisions late in the summer. Annual maintenance is a quick cut back to the ground of last years’ foliage and flower stems to make way for new growth early in the spring. Mexican Hat Plants will tolerate seaside conditions of wind and salt spray better than other native coneflowers. Mexican Hat Plant SpacingMexican Hat Plant is categorized as a smaller Coneflower. The mature height is 18-24 inches with a spread of 12-18 inches. Spacing plants at 12 inches will ensure a lovely, dense grouping that still has adequate air circulation.Mexican Hat Plant InformationUSDA Hardiness Zones: 3 – 8Plant Type: PerennialsLight Exposure: Partial Sun (5 – 6 Hours Of Direct Sunlight)Mature Height: 18 – 24 InchesMature Spread: 12 – 18 InchesSpacing: 12 – 18 InchesHabit: UprightFlower Color(s): RedFlower Description: Bloom Period: Foliage Type: HerbaceousFoliage Color(s): GreenFoliage Description: Seasonal Interest: Spring Flowering, Summer Flowering, Fall FloweringWatering: AverageResists: Deer, RabbitTolerates: DroughtAttracts: BirdsContainer Role: Uses: Borders, Containers, Mass Planting, Wildlife GardensFeatures: Attracts Pollinators, Cut Flowers, Low Maintenance, Native to North AmericaBrand: American Beauties Native PlantsCommon Name: Mexican Hat PlantOther Name(s): Scientific Name: RATIBIDA COL. `RED MIDGET`