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Cutleaf Coneflower

Rudbeckia laciniata

Also known as: Green-headed Coneflower

Tall yellow coneflower with drooping ray petals and a tall green central cone. Deeply cut leaves. Spreads aggressively in rich moist soils — site where it can colonize freely. Parent of double-flowered heirloom 'Golden Glow'. Young stems have been peeled and eaten like celery as a spring tonic; interestingly, the same plant has a reputation for poisoning grazing livestock, so this is a case of a documented human food from a plant best kept away from pastured animals.

Family

Asteraceae

Type

shrub

Lifespan

perennial

Height

2–9 ft

Spacing

1.5–3 ft apart

Light

sun, part shade, shade

Soil moisture

moist

Soil pH

acidic, neutral

Bloom

July, August, September, October

Bloom colors

yellow

Wildlife value

pollinators, butterflies, songbirds

Caterpillar hosts

~15 butterfly & moth species

Landscape uses

rain garden, erosion control, naturalizing

Native states

AL, AR, AZ, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NY, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WA, WI, WV, WY