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(Rudbeckia maxima)
Great Coneflower (Rudbeckia maxima)
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Photo by David J. Stang
CC BY-SA 4.0
Image By:
Photo by David J. Stang
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Copyright:
CC BY-SA 4.0
Copyright Notice:
Photo by: Photo by David J. Stang | License Type: CC BY-SA 4.0 | License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0 | Uploader: David Stang | Publisher: Wikimedia Commons | Title: Rudbeckia_maxima_2zz.jpg | Notes: Uploaded own work with UploadWizard |
Estimated Native Range
Summary
Rudbeckia maxima, commonly known as Great Coneflower, is a perennial herb that may be deciduous or semi-deciduous, depending on the climate. It is native to moist meadows, floodplains, and the edges of freshwater marshes in the South-Central United States. This species can reach a height of 10 feet (3 meters) and a width of 3-4 feet (0.9-1.2 meters), with a clumping form. The Great Coneflower is characterized by its tall, slender stems topped with large, showy flowers that have drooping yellow petals surrounding a prominent central brown cone, blooming in the summer. The flowers are highly attractive to pollinators and birds, particularly finches that feed on the seeds.
The Great Coneflower is valued for its vertical accent in garden design, its ability to attract wildlife, and its low maintenance requirements once established. It is ideal for use in naturalistic plantings, rain gardens, and as a background plant in borders due to its height. It thrives in full sun but can tolerate light shade, and while it prefers moist soil, it can adapt to different drainage conditions. This plant is generally pest-free but can be susceptible to powdery mildew in humid conditions. It is not known to have aggressive roots or to be invasive when grown outside its native range.CC BY-SA 4.0
The Great Coneflower is valued for its vertical accent in garden design, its ability to attract wildlife, and its low maintenance requirements once established. It is ideal for use in naturalistic plantings, rain gardens, and as a background plant in borders due to its height. It thrives in full sun but can tolerate light shade, and while it prefers moist soil, it can adapt to different drainage conditions. This plant is generally pest-free but can be susceptible to powdery mildew in humid conditions. It is not known to have aggressive roots or to be invasive when grown outside its native range.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Herb
- Height: 6-8 feet
- Width: 3-4 feet
- Growth Rate: Rapid
- Flower Color: Brown, Yellow
- Flowering Season: Summer
- Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Full Sun, Part Shade
- Water: Medium
- Drainage: Fast, Medium, Slow
Common Uses
Bee Garden, Bird Garden, Border Plant, Butterfly Garden, Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant, Hummingbird Garden, Low Maintenance, Rabbit Resistant, Showy Flowers, Street Planting
Natural Habitat
Moist meadows, floodplains, and the edges of freshwater marshes in the South-Central United States
Other Names
Common Names:
Scientific Names: , Rudbeckia maxima,
GBIF Accepted Name: Rudbeckia maxima Nutt.