Ozark Coneflower is a striking native wildflower that brings golden-yellow petals and rusty-orange centers to summer gardens across hardiness zones 5. This botanical oddity among coneflowers stands just 24 to 36 inches tall, making it compact enough for borders yet commanding enough to anchor a pollinator bed. It thrives on neglect once established, tolerating drought and poor soil with ease, while deer and most pests leave it untouched. Plant it in full sun and watch it bloom reliably from June through August without fussing.
Full Sun
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5-5
36in H x 18in W
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Low
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Golden-yellow petals surrounding a prominent rusty-orange central cone create a color combination rarely seen in coneflowers, which typically favor purple or pink. This native variety handles heat, drought, and lean soil with remarkable resilience, asking only for full sun and decent drainage. It germinates reliably within 7 to 21 days after a cold stratification period, giving seed savers a straightforward path to propagation. Deer avoid it entirely, and pests rarely trouble it, making it a genuinely low-maintenance choice for gardeners who want reliable summer color without constant vigilance.
Ozark Coneflower functions primarily as an ornamental perennial in gardens, valued for its striking blooms in summer borders and pollinator plantings. Its reliable blooming period and upright, compact form suit it well to mixed perennial beds and native plant gardens where it attracts butterflies and bees throughout the season.
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Stratify seeds indoors by mixing them with damp sand or vermiculite, sealing in a bag, and refrigerating at 35 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 days. Check the medium frequently and keep it lightly moist throughout the cold period. After stratification, sow into containers and germination should occur within 7 to 21 days. Transplant seedlings as they emerge, then harden off before moving outdoors after the last frost.
Transplant hardened seedlings outdoors after the last spring frost once soil is workable. Space plants 12 to 18 inches apart to allow room for mature width. Ensure soil drains well and receives full sun throughout the day.
Direct sow in fall or winter into pots kept in the shade; the natural cold period will provide stratification. Alternatively, sow outdoors in early spring after the soil becomes workable, though indoor stratification yields more reliable germination.
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