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Rudbeckia maxima

Phonetic Spelling
rud-BEK-ee-a MAKS-ih-muh
Description

Large coneflower is an herbaceous perennial in the daisy family (Asteraceae) native to the south-central USA, with a few records from South Carolina and North Carolina. The species epithet is Latin for "largest" and references the size of this plant, both its large leaves and tall flower stalks.

Large coneflower is easily grown in average, moist, well-drained soils in full sun. It is an easy-going plant that tolerates light shade, heat, some drought, nighttime visits from deer, and a wide range of soils. It can be grown from seed, but in ideal growing conditions, it will self-seed.  It also propagates itself through rhizomes. Plant it in along a border, in a cutting, pollinator, or cottage garden or in a meadow or naturalized area.  It serves as a food source for the larvae of the Wavy-lined Emerald (Synchlora aerata) butterfly.

The flower stalks rise to 7 feet bearing intense, yellow-rayed flowers. Each flower is about 3 inches with drooping rays and a 2- to 6-inch dark brown central cone. After the blooms go to seed, it will attract songbirds including goldfinches.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Fairly trouble-free plant. Snails and slugs can injure young plants. Powdery mildew can be a problem, but healthy plants usually recover.

More information on Rudbeckia.

Profile Video:
See this plant in the following landscape:
Collector’s Garden
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Golda Emanis'
'Golda Emanis'
Tags:
#drought tolerant#silvery#silver leaves#yellow flowers#nectar plant#large leaves#low maintenance#cottage garden#mass planting#NC native#deer resistant#blue-green leaves#rhizomes#ornamentals#naturalizes#self-seeding#cutting garden#pollinator plant#dried arrangements#larval host plant#prairies#NC Native Pollinator Plant#small group plantings#bird friendly#butterfly friendly#wavy-lined emerald butterfly#butterfly caterpillar host#butterfly garden#wildflower#wildlife friendly#meadow#cpp#hs303
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Golda Emanis'
'Golda Emanis'
Tags:
#drought tolerant#silvery#silver leaves#yellow flowers#nectar plant#large leaves#low maintenance#cottage garden#mass planting#NC native#deer resistant#blue-green leaves#rhizomes#ornamentals#naturalizes#self-seeding#cutting garden#pollinator plant#dried arrangements#larval host plant#prairies#NC Native Pollinator Plant#small group plantings#bird friendly#butterfly friendly#wavy-lined emerald butterfly#butterfly caterpillar host#butterfly garden#wildflower#wildlife friendly#meadow#cpp#hs303
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Rudbeckia
    Species:
    maxima
    Family:
    Asteraceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Root Cutting
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Central and southern United States
    Wildlife Value:
    This plant supports Wavy-lined Emerald (Synchlora aerata) larvae. Flowers attract butterflies. After blooms go to seed, leave the flowers stalks and goldfinches and other small birds will feed on the seeds.
    Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
    Moderately deer resistant.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 5 ft. 0 in. - 7 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Native Plant
    Wildflower
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Semi-evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Clumping
    Erect
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Coarse
  • 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 Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Available Space To Plant:
    3 feet-6 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Winter
    Fruit Description:
    The chocolate brown seed heads persist into early winter.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Gold/Yellow
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Head
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Good Cut
    Good Dried
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Radial
    Flower Petals:
    7 - 20 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    1-3 inches
    Flower Description:
    In the summer flower stalks shoot up that are sparsely leaved, and have 2-3 daisy like blooms. They are 3" across, with yellow rays that droop slightly toward the ground around a prominant dark-brown center cone that can reach 2"-6" tall.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Semi-evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Blue
    Gray/Silver
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Smooth
    Waxy
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Rosulate
    Whorled
    Leaf Shape:
    Ovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Clump of silvery blue-green foliage that resembles a cabbage or collard green leaf. Smooth glaucous covering and large basal paddle-shaped leaves with slender long petioles can reach 2' long and 10" wide.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Meadow
    Naturalized Area
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Cottage Garden
    Cutting Garden
    Native Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Design Feature:
    Accent
    Mass Planting
    Small groups
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Butterflies
    Pollinators
    Songbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Drought
    Heat