Large coneflower is an herbaceous perennial in the daisy family (Asteraceae) native to the south-central USA, with a few records from South Carolina and North Carolina. The species epithet is Latin for "largest" and references the size of this plant, both its large leaves and tall flower stalks. Large coneflower is easily grown in average, moist, well-drained soils in full sun. It is an easy-going plant that tolerates light shade, heat, some drought, nighttime visits from deer, and a wide range of soils. It can be grown from seed, but in ideal growing conditions, it will self-seed. It also propagates itself through rhizomes. Plant it in along a border, in a cutting, pollinator, or cottage garden or in a meadow or naturalized area. It serves as a food source for the larvae of the Wavy-lined Emerald ( Synchlora aerata ) butterfly. The flower stalks rise to 7 feet bearing intense, yellow-rayed flowers. Each flower is about 3 inches with drooping rays and a 2- to 6-inch dark brown central cone. After the blooms go to seed, it will attract songbirds including goldfinches. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems : Fairly trouble-free plant. Snails and slugs can injure young plants. Powdery mildew can be a problem, but healthy plants usually recover. More information on Rudbeckia .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Clay; High Organic Matter; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil drainage
Good Drainage
Available space
3 feet-6 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 5 ft. 0 in. - 7 ft. 0 in. | Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous (3-15 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Clumping; Erect
Texture
Coarse
Foliage
Semi-evergreen
Leaf color
Blue; Gray/Silver; Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Rosulate; Whorled
Leaf shape
Ovate
Leaf margin
Entire
Leaf feel
Smooth; Waxy
Leaf size
> 6 inches long, > 6 inches wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Clump of silvery blue-green foliage that resembles a cabbage or collard green leaf. Smooth glaucous covering and large basal paddle-shaped leaves with slender long petioles can reach 2' long and 10" wide.
Flower color
Brown/Copper; Gold/Yellow
Flower value
Good Cut; Good Dried; Showy
Flower form
Head
Flower shape
Radial
Flower size
1-3 inches
Flower detail
In the summer flower stalks shoot up that are sparsely leaved, and have 2-3 daisy like blooms. They are 3" across, with yellow rays that droop slightly toward the ground around a prominant dark-brown center cone that can reach 2"-6" tall.
Bloom time
Summer
Fruit color
Brown/Copper
Fruit detail
The chocolate brown seed heads persist into early winter.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Native
Origin
Central and southern United States
Wildlife value
This plant supports Wavy-lined Emerald (Synchlora aerata) larvae. Flowers attract butterflies. After blooms go to seed, leave the flowers stalks and goldfinches and other small birds will feed on the seeds.