Great Coneflower
Rudbeckia maxima
Other Names:Â Cabbage-leaf Coneflower, Giant Brown-Eyed Susan, Giant Coneflower, Large Coneflower, Swamp Coneflower
Plant Details
USDA Plant Hardiness Zones: 4a-9b  Find Your Zone
Plant Type:Â Herbaceous PerennialÂ
Height at Maturity:Â 6-8′ tall!
Width at Maturity:Â 2-3′
Spacing:Â 24-30″ for mass plantings
Spacing:Â 24-30″ for mass plantings
Growth Habit / Form:Â Upright
Growth Rate:Â Fast
Flower Color: Â Yellow with Green center cones
Flower Size:Â 2-3″ diameter
Flowering Period:Â Mid Summer into Fall
Flower Type:Â Daisy, coneflower
Fragrant Flowers:Â Â No
Foliage Color:Â Silvery Blue-Grey
Fragrant Foliage:Â No
Berries:Â Â No
Berry Color:Â No
Sun Needs:Â Full Sun or Part Shade
Water Needs:Â Â Average to High
Soil Type:Â Â Clay (amended), Loam, Sand (amended), SiltÂ
Soil Moisture / Drainage:Â Moist But Well Drained
Soil pH:Â 5.5 – 7.5 (Acid to Slightly Alkaline)
Maintenance / Care:Â Low
Attracts:Â Butterflies, Birds, Bees, Pollinators, Visual Attention
Resistances:Â Cold temperatures (-30F), Deer, Disease, Heat, Humidity, Insect, Rabbit
Description
A North American native, Rudbeckia maxima, commonly known as Great Coneflower, Giant Coneflower, or Cabbage Coneflower, is a super-sized and stately Black-Eyed Susan that has a dynamic architectural presence in the garden. Everything about this plant is BIG. The bold and attractive silvery blue-grey leaves average 18 inches long. In early to midsummer, tall sturdy stalks rise above the foliage mound bearing 3-inch diameter coneflowers with large and tall dark brown cones surrounded by a skirt of drooping bright clear yellow petals that are great for cutting and use in flower arrangements. Great Coneflower is a native that is cold hardy to -30F and heat hardy to Zone 9b thriving in sunny sites with consistently moist soils. At 6 to 8 feet tall in bloom and 2 to 3 feet wide, this towering, eye-catching coneflower is excellent for use as a centerpiece or background in perennial and wildflower gardens.
Wildlife Value
This plant supports Wavy-lined Emerald (Synchlora aerata) moths. The flowers attract butterflies. After blooms go to seed, leave the flowers stalks and goldfinches and other small birds will feast on the seeds.
Landscape & Garden Uses
Growing a whopping 6 to 8 feet tall and 2 to 3 feet wide in sunny and moist conditions, the Great Coneflower’s height makes it a perfect selection for the back of the perennial border or as a centerpiece in garden beds that can be viewed from all sides. Excellent for those areas in the garden where the soil tends to stay consistently damp to moist. A fine addition to butterfly gardens, wildflower gardens, cut flower gardens, rain gardens, cottage gardens and yellow color theme gardens.Â
Suggested Spacing:Â 24-30 inches apart for mass plantings; 6 feet or more apart for space between plants
Growing Preferences
The Great Coneflower is very easy to grow in most any consistently moist but well-drained soil in full sun or part shade. Provide at least 5 hours of direct sun for best flowering. Will tolerate short dry periods but will appreciate supplemental water during prolonged periods of drought.
Plant Long & Prosper!
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The plants I received are amazing,big healthy plants very happy.————————————-We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy them for years to come! Thanks for the great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

























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