Cutleaf Coneflower (Rudbeckia lanciniata)

The statuesque Cutleaf coneflower (Rudbeckia laciniata) tolerates cold, as well as hot and humid weather, full sun and part shade, and blooms summer into fall. Elaine tends the plant pictured above, among others, in VISTA’s Cut-flower Garden. 

Cutleaf coneflower (Rudbeckia laciniata) can grow 5-8 feet tall with bright yellow flowers as large as five inches across. Plant it where you welcome its size and tendency to spread, as it will likely self-seed and you’ll have plants to share with friends and neighbors. Water the plant regularly, especially  when it receives full sunlight and during times of drought.

Jennifer Hamilton tends the Cutleaf Coneflower (Rudbeckia laciniata) in VISTA’sWildflower Garden where it is located among other large plants, American beau tyberry (Callicarpa americana) and its nativar Callicarpa americana var. lactea. Enjoy this beauty as you stroll along VISTA's sidewalk between the Wildflower Garden and South Village Drive.

Many walkers stop and admire the daisy-like flowers with drooping rays and interesting green center cones.

These flowers furnish necessary food to many insects. The nectar and pollen attract bees, wasps, flies and butterflies. Pictured here is a beneficial, non-stinging and pollinating Noble Scoliid Wasp (Scolia nobilitata) on flower going to seed.

The native habitats for this plant are moist places such as creek banks. Pictured below is a Cutleaf Coneflower in VISTA’s native plant landscape surrounding the pavilion, tended by Vicki Kuse. During our rainy season, this area becomes very moist.

Some gardeners cut flowers for bouquets. Others deadhead “spent” flowers or leave them as natural food for songbirds. As long as you can leave them, the bright yellow flowers will put on a spectacular show, especially when plants with complementary colors like that of the Giant ironweed (Vernonia gigantea) grow nearby.

Cutleaf coneflower is a perennial plant that will return year after year. Even when it is not in bloom and especially during cold winters, it will appear as a basal rosette of large rich-green leaves that look something like a large version of Italian parsley.

Cutleaf Coneflower (Rudbeckia laciniata) is a great “starter” plant for your garden to enjoy the benefits of Florida native plants.