Description

This striking and unique member of the sunflower family grows in moist areas of the Sierra Nevada and Cascade ranges. Several coneflowers grow in California, named for the conspicuous, protruding centers of their yellow flowers. After a winter dormancy (no above ground growth), California coneflower emerges with long, wide lance-shaped leaves. Year by year, the clump expands in all directions. The flowers rise above the foliage in late spring. California coneflower thrives in a variety of soils in a sunny, well-watered garden bed. Plant with other moisture-loving species such as meadow lupine, Lupinus polyphyllus, western columbine, Aquilegia formosa, or scarlet monkeyflower, Mimulus cardinalis.