Cone Flower, Cutleaf coneflower, Green Headed Coneflower
Rudbeckia laciniata
Family: Asteraceae or Compositae
What it is like
Bloom Color: Yellow. Main Bloom Time: Early fall, Late summer, Mid summer. Form: Upright or erect.
Rudbeckia laciniata is a PERENNIAL growing to 2.4 m (7ft) by 1 m (3ft 3in) at a medium rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 3. It is in flower from July to October, and the seeds ripen from August to October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees, hoverflies. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil. The plant can tolerates strong winds but not maritime exposure.
Height (m): 2.4
Where it is found
Stream banks and moist places in rich low ground.
N. America - Quebec to Manitoba, Colorado Florida. Locally naturalized garden escape in Britain.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 1
Edible young stems. Cooked and eaten in the spring for 'good health'. The young stems can be eaten like celery. The stems can also be dried for later use. Some caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity.
Stem: this often intergrades into leaves.
Medicine
Rating: 1
A tea made from the root (mixed with Caulophyllum thalictroides) is used in the treatment of indigestion. A poultice of the flowers (mixed with Agastache anisatum and Solidago sp.) is applied to burns.
Carminative: Reduces flatulence and expels gas from the intestines.
Poultice: A moist, usually warm or hot, mass of plant material applied to the skin in the treatment of burns etc.
Other
Rating: 1
A green dye is obtained from the flowers.
Dye: Plants that provide dyes.
How it is grown
Landscape Uses:Container, Massing. Succeeds in an ordinary medium soil in sun or shade. Requires a moist soil. Prefers a well-drained soil. Tolerates considerable wind exposure without support. Plants can be grown in quite coarse grass, which can be cut annually in the autumn. They grow particularly well in long hot late summers. Dormant plants are hardy to about -25°c. Some named forms have been selected for their ornamental value. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer. Plants can be invasive. Special Features:Attracts birds, North American native, All or parts of this plant are poisonous, Attracts butterflies, Suitable for cut flowers.
Propagating it: Seed - sow April in a greenhouse. Only just cover the seed. Germination should take place within 2 weeks, prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and plant them out in the summer. The seed can also be sown in situ. Division in spring or autumn. Very easy, larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found it best to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in a lightly shaded position in a cold frame, planting them out once they are well established in the summer.
Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Shady Edge; Meadow;
Habit: Perennial
Hardiness: 3-7
Growth: Medium
Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)
Shade: Semi-shade, no shade
Moisture: Moist
Things to keep in mind
This plant is reputed to be poisonous to cattle, sheep and pigs.