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Green Headed Coneflower Rudbeckia laciniata

Phonetic Spelling
rud-BEK-ee-a la-sin-ee-AH-ta
Description

Green-Head Coneflower is a herbaceous perennial that grows 3 to 10 feet tall with a tall and lanky appearance, although it may only reach half that height when cultivated. The plant prefers moist soil, but grows well in average, medium, well-drained soil in full sun to part shade and is often found in woods, meadows, streambanks, and roadside ditches. The plant tolerates hot, humid summers, but can spread aggressively by underground rhizomes.

To keep the plant under control, divide clumps and deadhead old flowers to encourage rebloom. Green-Head Coneflower displays 2 to 4 inch yellow flowers from late summer into the fall. Foliage is divided into 1 or 2 pairs of toothed lobes on the bottom leaves, while upper leaves may or may not be lobed. A rosette of leaves that originate at the base of the stem persists through the winter, creating an attractive winter ground cover.

Butterflies are attracted to nectar from the blooms and songbirds, especially American Goldfinches, eat the seed in the fall. It is moderately deer resistant.

Good for meadows and open areas.

This plant was selected as the 1995 NC Wildflower of the Year, a program managed by the North Carolina Botanical Garden with some financial support from the Garden Club of North Carolina.

Diseases, Insects, and Other Plant Problems: No known serious insect or disease problems. Taller plants may need support.  It can be weedy.

VIDEO: Part of the Native Plant Picks series from the North Carolina Sea Grant led Coastal Landscapes Initiative.

Profile Video:
See this plant in the following landscapes:
Native Woodland Garden, Durham Four-Season Garden
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#nectar plant#winter interest#highly beneficial coastal plants#NC native#deer resistant#native garden#groundcover#pollinator plant#native wildflower#larval host plant#food source fall#NC Native Pollinator Plant#food source herbage#food source nectar#food source pollen#Coastal FACW#Piedmont Mountains FACW#bird friendly#food source hard mast fruit#butterfly friendly#HS302#Audubon#wavy-lined emerald butterfly#NC Wildflower of the Year#perennial#weed#wildflower#herb garden#wildlife friendly#meadow#cpp
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#nectar plant#winter interest#highly beneficial coastal plants#NC native#deer resistant#native garden#groundcover#pollinator plant#native wildflower#larval host plant#food source fall#NC Native Pollinator Plant#food source herbage#food source nectar#food source pollen#Coastal FACW#Piedmont Mountains FACW#bird friendly#food source hard mast fruit#butterfly friendly#HS302#Audubon#wavy-lined emerald butterfly#NC Wildflower of the Year#perennial#weed#wildflower#herb garden#wildlife friendly#meadow#cpp
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Rudbeckia
    Species:
    laciniata
    Family:
    Asteraceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Eastern North America
    Wildlife Value:
    This plant supports Wavy-lined Emerald (Synchlora aerata) larvae. Nectar and pollen attract butterflies and bees. Songbirds, especially American Goldfinches, eat the seed in the fall.
    Play Value:
    Wildlife Food Source
    Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
    Moderately deer resistant.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 1 ft. 6 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Ground Cover
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Native Plant
    Wildflower
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Clumping
    Erect
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    High
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    High Organic Matter
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Fruit:
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Fruit Description:
    Displays from August to November
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Green
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Cyme
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Good Cut
    Long Bloom Season
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Flower Petals:
    7 - 20 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    1-3 inches
    Flower Description:
    Two to four inch daisy-like flowers; six to ten droopy yellow petals; greenish yellow center. Blooms from July to October.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Prickly
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Elliptical
    Ovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Dentate
    Lobed
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Lower leaves may be divided into 1 or 2 pairs of broad, toothed lobes; upper leaves may be lobed or not lobed. Pinnate light green leaves. Leaves have a tendency to droop.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Surface:
    Covered with a powdery bloom (glaucous)
    Stem Description:
    Branching stems. The stems are light green, terete, usually glabrous, and sometimes glaucous.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Meadow
    Naturalized Area
    Slope/Bank
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Native Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Winter Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Attracts:
    Butterflies
    Pollinators
    Small Mammals
    Songbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Heat
    Humidity
    Problems:
    Weedy