Coneflower Rudbeckia
Other Common Name(s):
Other plants called Coneflower:
- Phonetic Spelling
- rud-BEK-ee-ah
- Description
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This is a Genus of about 31 species in the daisy family (Asteraceae) native to most areas of North America. They are commonly called coneflowers or black-eyed Susans. The genus name honors Olof Rudbeck, a 17th-century Swedish botanist.
These plants can be annual, perennial or biennial, grow 2-10 feet tall and typically spread by self-seeding. They tolerate full sun to partial shade in dry to moist conditions and tolerate poorer soils. Deadheading can encourage further blooms.
The flowers have a raised central cone of disc flowers in black, brown and green surrounded by ray florets in yellow and orange colors. They typically have a long bloom season, are easy to grow and attract pollinators. They are deer and rabbit resistant.
Many species are used in prairie restoration, for ornamental use, and by livestock for forage. There are many cultivators available to use in the border of a pollinator/native garden, drought tolerant garden or cottage garden. They can also be used in naturalized areas.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems
Video by Andy Pulte for “Landscape Plant Identification, Taxonomy and Morphology” a plant identification course offered by the Department of Plant Sciences, University of Tennessee.
Additional 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 landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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Rudbeckia fulgida
- Rudbeckia speciosa
Showy coneflower - eastern USA
Rudbeckia subtomentosa
orange coneflower - eastern USA & Canada, Rudbeckia fulgida var. sullivantii 'Goldsturm'
Rudbeckia hirta
black-eyed Susan- widespread Rudbeckia lacinata
Cutleaf coneflower, green-head coneflower Rudbeckia maxima
Rudbeckia triloba
Brown-eyed Susan - Rudbeckia speciosa
- Rudbeckia fulgida, Rudbeckia fulgida var. sullivantii 'Goldsturm', Rudbeckia hirta, Rudbeckia lacinata, Rudbeckia maxima, Rudbeckia speciosa, Rudbeckia subtomentosa, Rudbeckia triloba
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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Rudbeckia fulgida
- Rudbeckia speciosa
Showy coneflower - eastern USA
Rudbeckia subtomentosa
orange coneflower - eastern USA & Canada, Rudbeckia fulgida var. sullivantii 'Goldsturm'
Rudbeckia hirta
black-eyed Susan- widespread Rudbeckia lacinata
Cutleaf coneflower, green-head coneflower Rudbeckia maxima
Rudbeckia triloba
Brown-eyed Susan - Rudbeckia speciosa
- Rudbeckia fulgida, Rudbeckia fulgida var. sullivantii 'Goldsturm', Rudbeckia hirta, Rudbeckia lacinata, Rudbeckia maxima, Rudbeckia speciosa, Rudbeckia subtomentosa, Rudbeckia triloba
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Rudbeckia
- Family:
- Asteraceae
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Biennial
- Perennial
- Wildlife Value:
- Host plants to caterpillars of some Lepidoptera species including cabbage moths and dot moths. Pollinators will visit the flowers
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- Deer and rabbit resistant
- Dimensions:
- Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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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 pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Fruit Type:
- Achene
- Fruit Description:
- Has many seeds
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Orange
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Head
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Long Bloom Season
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Radial
- Flower Petals:
- 7 - 20 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- They typically have a raised central cone of disc flowers in black, brown and green shades that are surrounded by yellow or orange ray flowers. Will bloom most of the summer.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Whorled
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Lobed
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Description:
- Green leaves are spirally arranged and ether have entire margins or are deeply lobed. Size and shape vary per species.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- BGreen stems can be smooth or hairy
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Naturalized Area
- Landscape Theme:
- Cottage Garden
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Small groups
- Attracts:
- Pollinators
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Drought
- Poor Soil
