Sun Exposure: Part Sun, Shade
Soil Moisture: Medium-Wet, Medium
Soil Type: Sand, Loam, Clay
Height: 5 - 7 feet
Spread: 2 - 3 feet
Blooms: July, August, September, October
Root: Fibrous, Rhizomatous
Habitat: Open bottomland forests, Moist meadows in wooded areas, Woodland borders, Partially shaded river banks
Landscape uses: Pollinator gardens, Rain Gardens, Naturalization, Wooded edges, Woodland planting
Complimentary Plants: Tall Ironweed, Joe Pye Weed, Blue Vervain
Wildlife Value: The nectar and pollen of the flowerheads attract many kinds of insects, including long-tongued bees, short-tongued bees, predatory wasps, butterflies, skippers, moths, and various kinds of flies. Host Plant: Silvery Checkerspot Butterfly, Wavy-Lined Emerald Moth, Common Eupithecia Moth. Songbirds eat the seeds.
Seed Origin: Clearview, ON
Germination Code: C(30)
Photo credits: all by Sundaura Alford-Purvis
Rudbeckia laciniata - Cut-leaved Coneflower
Cut-leaved Coneflower is a tall wildflower with yellow blooms and lobed leaves. There are not many woodland flowers that will reach the height of this coneflower. Its bright yellow flowers and relatively late bloom time compare to many spring-blooming woodland flowers, which make it a wonderful addition to your woodland planting. Found naturally in bottomland forests, it adapts readily to most garden soils as long as they don't dry out completely. It prefers partially shaded areas that are lower, poorly drained and prone to occasional flooding during the spring. The seed heads add great winter interest and are eaten by birds. The spring basal leaves are a traditional North American food. Other common names in use include Cut-leaved Coneflower, Cutleaf Coneflower, Green-headed Coneflower, and Tall Coneflower.