Upright Prairie Coneflower vs Wood Lily - TreeTime.ca

Upright Prairie Coneflower vs Wood Lily

Lilium philadelphicum

Ratibida columnifera

CUSTOM GROW

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

Wood Lily
Upright Prairie Coneflower

Wood Lily is a native perennial wildflower known for its vibrant, trumpet-shaped blooms in shades of orange to red. Its showy flowers appear mid-summer and are highly visible in meadows and prairies. The upward-facing flowers are an important nectar source for many pollinators, including native bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.

Unlike most lilies, the Wood Lily’s flowers face upward rather than nodding. It is slow to establish and may take years before flowering, but once mature, it requires little maintenance. It is well-suited for pollinator gardens, naturalisation projects, prairie restoration, and open woodland plantings.

Wood Lily is the provincial flower of Saskatchewan and North America’s most widespread lily. Despite its wide natural range, populations have been declining. Habitat loss, overgrazing by deer, and unsustainable picking have reduced both its abundance and density across many regions. These pressures highlight the importance of protecting and restoring this once-common wildflower.

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.

Wood Lily Quick Facts

Upright Prairie Coneflower Quick Facts

Zone: 2b
Zone: 3b
Height: 0.6 m (2.0 ft)
Height: 0.6 m (2.0 ft)
Spread: 0.3 m (1.0 ft)
Spread: 0.5 m (1.5 ft)
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: full sun
Moisture: normal, wet
Moisture: dry, normal
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: very fast
Life span: short
Life span: short
Growth form: upright
Spreading: seeds - low
Suckering: none
Maintenance: medium

Toxicity: toxic to cats

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


Native to: AB, BC, SK, MB, ON, QC
Native to: AB, BC, SK, MB
Other Names: prairie wood lily, red lily, red wood lily
Other Names: long-headed coneflower, prairie coneflower, red-spike mexican-hat, yellow prairie coneflower