Rudbeckia subtomentosa
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- rud-BEK-ee-a sub-toh-men-TOH-suh
- Description
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Sweet coneflower is an herbaceous perennial in the daisy family (Asteraceae). It grows 3 to 5 feet tall and blooms with bright yellow flowers that attract pollinators. It is native to the south-central US; it may escape and naturalize in other areas, including North Carolina. The species epithet means "slightly or nearly hairy" referring to the condition of the stems and leaves.
Sweet coneflower prefers medium moisture, well-drained loam or sandy loam and full or partial sun. However, it is an easy going plant and tolerates hot and humid summers, some drought, clay soil, poor soils and is deer resistant. It does like good air circulation and, to encourage additional blooming, you should deadhead spent flowers. Also, the tall stalks may require some support, especially if the plant is grown in a shady area or given too much water or fertilizer. It is a good choice for rain gardens, borders, cottage gardens and naturalized areas. Sweet coneflower will grow to 3 to 5 feet tall and display daisy-like, 3-inch, yellow flowers with dark brownish-purple center disks on branched stems. Flowers faintly smell of anise, hence the common name.
Diseases, Insects, and Other Plant Problems:
No known serious insect or disease problems. Powdery mildew may appear. Taller plants may need support, particularly if grown in part shade.
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:
- Floricyle Four-Season Garden
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Henry Eilers'
Ray florets are tubular or quill-shaped
- 'Henry Eilers'
- 'Henry Eilers'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Henry Eilers'
Ray florets are tubular or quill-shaped
- 'Henry Eilers'
- 'Henry Eilers'
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Rudbeckia
- Species:
- subtomentosa
- Family:
- Asteraceae (daisy)
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- central United States
- Wildlife Value:
- This is a larval host plant for Silvery Checkerspot (Chlosyne nycteis) caterpillars which have one brood in the north and two broods from May-September in the rest of its range. The adults feed on nectar from red clover, common milkweed, and dogbane. Bees and other polinators are attracted by the pollen and nectar of the flowers. Caterpillars of various butterfly species also feed on the plant. This plant also supports Wavy-lined Emerald (Synchlora aerata) larvae.
- Play Value:
- Attractive Flowers
- Attracts Pollinators
- Easy to Grow
- Wildlife Food Source
- Wildlife Larval Host
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- Moderately deer resistant.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Wildflower
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Coarse
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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
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Description:
- The center disk becomes a head of dark, 4-sided seeds that lack a tuft of hairs.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Good Cut
- Long Bloom Season
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Flower Petals:
- 7 - 20 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- Yellow rays and brownish purple center disks. The central disks of the flowerheads are fragrant after being crushed.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Rough
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Leaf Margin:
- Dentate
- Lobed
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Grey green leaves, toothed, downy on the bottom. Lower leaves are larger and toothed. Upper leaves are smaller, entire, with a short to no stem.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Surface:
- Hairy (pubescent)
- Stem Description:
- Light green, terete, and sometimes slightly furrowed; they are covered with spreading hairs
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Coastal
- Meadow
- Naturalized Area
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Cottage Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Rain Garden
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Pollinators
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Drought
- Poor Soil
