Upright Prairie Coneflower vs Wheat Sedge - TreeTime.ca

Upright Prairie Coneflower vs Wheat Sedge

Ratibida columnifera

Carex atherodes

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

CUSTOM GROW

Upright Prairie Coneflower
Wheat Sedge

Upright Prairie Coneflower is a native perennial wildflower known for its vibrant flowers, which range from golden yellow to dark rust-red with yellow edges. Rising on tall, slender stems, the flowers’ drooping petals surround a central cone. They bloom from midsummer into fall, attracting butterflies, bees, and other pollinators. After blooming, the florets on the cone eventually develop into seeds, which provide a food source for birds.

Its upright growth habit allows it to grow in clusters, creating a striking display. Due to its deep taproot, Upright Prairie Coneflower is drought tolerant, making it well suited to dry areas and xeriscape gardens. Low-maintenance and deer-resistant, this wildflower is a great choice for adding vibrant color and ecological value to any landscape.

Wheat Sedge is a native perennial sedge commonly found in wetlands, ditches, and along shorelines. It thrives in saturated soils, spreading by rhizomes to form large colonies that stabilize both soils and shorelines. This makes it valuable for wetland and riparian plantings.

Its distinctive, wheat-like seed spikes add seasonal character while providing food for waterfowl, and its dense clumps supply cover and nesting habitat for birds and small animals. Together, these traits make Wheat Sedge an important species for enhancing biodiversity and supporting healthy wetland ecosystems.

Upright Prairie Coneflower Quick Facts

Wheat Sedge Quick Facts

Zone: 3b
Zone: 2a
Height: 0.6 m (2.0 ft)
Height: 0.8 m (2.5 ft)
Spread: 0.5 m (1.5 ft)
Spread: 0.5 m (1.5 ft)
Light: full sun
Light: partial shade, full sun
Moisture: dry, normal
Moisture: wet
Growth rate: very fast
Growth rate: fast
Life span: short
Life span: short
Growth form: upright, colony-forming
Spreading: rhizomes - high, seeds - low
Suckering: none
Maintenance: medium


Flowers: golden yellow sometimes with red-brown; has long central cone
Bloom time: early summer to early fall
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


Native to: AB, BC, SK, MB
Native to: AB, BC, SK, MB, ON, QC, YT, NT
Other Names: long-headed coneflower, prairie coneflower, red-spike mexican-hat, yellow prairie coneflower
Other Names: awned sedge, hairy leaved lake sedge, slough sedge