Upright Prairie Coneflower vs Hairy Golden Aster - TreeTime.ca

Upright Prairie Coneflower vs Hairy Golden Aster

Ratibida columnifera

Heterotheca villosa

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

Upright Prairie Coneflower
Hairy Golden Aster

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.

Hairy Golden Aster is a native perennial wildflower known for its clusters of bright yellow, daisy-like blooms. They bloom from mid-summer into fall, providing late-season colour and a valuable nectar source for pollinators, including a variety of bee species.

Flowers mature into fluffy seed heads and can self-seed readily. Removing spent blooms helps manage their spread, but some people will choose to leave a few seed heads to provide food for birds. Hairy Golden Aster grow in bushy clumps, tolerates poor sandy soils, and once established, are among the most drought-tolerant wildflowers. They are well-suited for pollinator gardens, restoration, naturalization, and xeriscaping projects.

Upright Prairie Coneflower Quick Facts

Hairy Golden Aster Quick Facts

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


Flowers: golden yellow sometimes with red-brown; has long central cone
Flowers: bright yellow, daisy-like
Bloom time: early summer to early fall
Bloom time: mid 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
Other Names: long-headed coneflower, prairie coneflower, red-spike mexican-hat, yellow prairie coneflower
Other Names: hairy false golden aster, hairy false goldenaster, hairy goldenaster