RATIBIDA columnifera. Mexican hat. Southwest Canada to Mexico. A tough, cheery member of the aster family. It is a bushy plant, growing 2-3’ tall, with many bright green to greyish green stems and similarly colored, narrowly divided leaves. Throughout the summer months it is sprinkled with 1-2” flower heads resembling those of the rudbeckias. Each has a dark central column surrounded by yellow rays, shaded to red near the center in our material. It tends to be short-lived but is easily propagated by seeds or cuttings. Sun, most soils, moderate to occasional watering. Probably hardy to 0^oF or less.