Red-Spike Mexican Hats an erect perennial, sometimes grown as a biennial, with pinnate greyish green leaves. It blooms from early summer to early autumn. It has long, thin, daisy-like flowers, and prominent, unusual, cone-shaped flower heads, with yellow ray flowers, that are good for cutting. The cone-shaped center is green, then brown as it dries out. It grows in sunny locations, and can be used in annual flower beds, wildflower gardens or gravel gardens.