Great Design Plant: Giant Coneflower — A Bold Garden Exclamation Point

Sure, the common biennial Rudbeckia is a nursery staple at 2 feet tall, but the long-lived giant coneflower (Rudbeckia maxima) makes you the talk of gardening circles. Give it a prominent spot in your border or meadow for dramatic impact.

Missouri Botanical Garden

Quick Facts

• Botanical name: Rudbeckia maxima
• Common names: Giant coneflower, tall coneflower
• Origin: Native to the southern Great Plains — Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana
• USDA zones: 4 to 8 (hardy to -30°F)
• Water & soil: Medium to moist clay and loam
• Light: Full to partial sun
• Mature size: 6 feet tall, 3 feet wide, with very strong stems
• Benefits: Easy perennial; attracts pollinators and butterflies; tolerates brief drought
• Seasonal interest: 4+ week midsummer bloom; unique large blue leaves; winter interest
• When to plant: Spring to fall

Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

Distinguishing Traits

In spring, basal foliage of large powdery-blue leaves emerges, giving way to many sturdy June and July stalks that withstand windstorms. Yellow flowers bloom for weeks and provide wonderful winter interest.

Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

How to Use It

A stunner in the middle of a meadow or at the center of a border, giant coneflower is a true exclamation point. Its cupped leaves hold water for birds and insects, making it a wildlife pit stop. Goldfinches eat winter seeds; foliage stays green in warmer zones.

Planting Notes

Giant coneflower prefers consistent moisture but handles periodic drought. It's disease- and pest-free, can be planted any time of year, and is carefree and unique. Do you have one yet?

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