Mexican Hat

Ratibida columnifera

Mexican Hat is a perennial for mid-border, suited to full sun and loam or sandy soil, flowering Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep.

Where to use it in a border

At around 75 cm, it sits best through the middle of a border, between taller structure behind and edging in front. Give it about 45 cm of room to spread, roughly 2 to the metre when planted in a drift. It is hardy across USDA zones 4a to 9a, so check it suits your area before planting.

It appears in our lists of full sun, sandy soil, pollinator-friendly plants.

Border Builder uses Mexican Hat's height, spread, soil, bloom months and companions to place it in a full border plan for your own conditions, on iPhone and iPad.

Flowering through the year

Worth knowing

• Its flowers are valued by bees and other pollinators.

Good companions

Plants that share its conditions and style, chosen to complement its place in the border:

• Aromatic Asterto edge in front
• Lanceleaf Coreopsisto edge in front
• Prairie Smoketo edge in front
• Pussytoesto edge in front
• Blanket Flower 'Arizona Sun'to edge in front
• Blue Sageto flower when it does not

Garden styles

Meadow Native Wildlife garden Xeriscape (low-water)