Rudbeckia maxima
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Tried and True Recommended by 2 Professionals
Species Native to Missouri
Common Name: large coneflower
Type: Herbaceous perennial
Family: Asteraceae
Zone: 4 to 9
Native Range: Central and southern United States
Garden Location: Christopher Biraben Butterfly Meadow, Enterprise Rent-A-Car Flower Borders
Height: 5 to 7 feet
Spread: 3 to 4 feet
Bloom Time: June to July
Bloom Color: Yellow
Bloom Description: Yellow rays surround dark brown center cone
Sun: Full sun
Water: Dry to medium
Maintenance: Low
Flowers: Showy Flowers
Wildlife: Attracts Butterflies
Tolerates: Drought, Deer
Uses: Cut Flower, Dried Flower, Will Naturalize

Culture

This perennial coneflower is easily grown in average, moist, well-drained soils in full sun. Tolerates light shade. Tolerates heat, some drought and a somewhat wide range of soils. Best in moist, organically rich soils. May be grown from seed. In optimum growing conditions, plants will naturalize by self-seeding.

Noteworthy Characteristics

Large coneflower features a basal clump of huge, glaucous, paddle-shaped, bluish-green leaves (to 24” long and 10” wide) from which rise in summer sturdy, sparsely-leaved flower stalks to 7’ tall bearing yellow-rayed coneflowers (to 3” across). Each coneflower has slightly drooping rays and tall dark brown central cones ranging from 2-6” high. Flowers bloom in summer. This coneflower is a coarse perennial that is native to open wooded areas, moist prairies, pastures and along roads and railroad tracks in Arkansas, Oklahoma, Louisiana and Texas, but has been introduced in several other states including Missouri and South Carolina. Basal foliage is evergreen in warm winter climates. Flower stalks may be left in place after bloom so goldfinches can enjoy the seed. Another common name for this plant is cabbage leaf coneflower in reference to the basal leaves.

Problems

No serious insect or disease problems. Susceptible to powdery mildew. Watch for slugs and snails on young plants.

Garden Uses

A native wildflower that is an excellent addition to naturalized areas, wildflower meadows, prairies, cottage gardens, native plant gardens and borders.

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