Giant Coneflower, Great Coneflower, Giant Brown-eyed Susan, Cabbage Coneflower
Rudbeckia maxima, commonly known as the giant coneflower, is a lovely perennial plant with a charming clump of large, bluish-green, paddle-shaped leaves. Throughout the summer, you’ll see tall flower stalks sprouting with beautiful coneflowers with gracefully drooping rays and dark brown central cones reaching 2-6 inches.
Originally found thriving in open wooded areas, moist prairies, and pastures by roads and railroad tracks in Arkansas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, and Texas, this wonderful plant has also made its way to other states like Missouri and South Carolina. The elegant basal foliage stays evergreen in warm winter climates, and if you leave the flower stalks intact after blooming, they can offer seeds for cheerful goldfinches to enjoy. This delightful plant is also known by another name, the “cabbage leaf coneflower,” inspired by its unique basal leaves.
If you’re thinking of adding Rudbeckia maxima to your garden, you’ll be glad to know it grows quickly in average, moist, well-drained soils basking in full sun, though it can also handle a bit of light shade, heat, drought, and different soil types. It flourishes when planted in wet, organically rich soils and can even be grown from seeds. Under the right conditions, this charming species will naturally spread and beautify your garden with self-seeding.
BONAP MAP
Height: 5’-7′ Spread: 3’-4′ Bloom: July-September Light: Full Sun Water: Low Zone: 4-9 Origin: Southcentral U.S.
