Description | Giant Coneflower (Rudbeckia maxima) is a tall Coneflower. The flower stalks grow from the basal clump of huge bluish-green leaves. |
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Pronunciation | (rud-BEK-ee-a)(MAX-i-ma) |
Plant Type | Perennials Hardy, Site author's observations |
Hardiness Zone | 4-9 |
Sunlight | full sun |
Moisture | average, prefers moist sites, drought tolerant once established |
Soil & Site | prefers moist well drained, tolerates average |
Flowers | golden yellow with reflexed ray flowers, elongated cone shaped black center, starts in July |
Fruit | achene (a dry fruit where the seed separates from the seed coat) |
Leaves | glaucous colored leaves (also described as gray-green), mostly found at the base where they form a basal rosette, stem leaves become smaller and clasp |
Dimensions | 5-7 feet tall, base leaves reaching 36", space around 18-24" |
Propagation | seeds, root cuttings (#04) |
Misc Facts | 1818, Texas (#35-Thomas) |
Author's Notes | I first saw this plant at Shady Acres Nursery, New Berlin, Wisconsin. They were interesting, and I purchased one. I planted it and quickly realized one plant looked very lonely. I bought a few more so my R. maximum would have a few friends. Now, the planting seems complete. I only got 3-4 years out of them, but I will try again. |
Notes & Reference | #35-Perennial Garden Plants (Graham Stuart Thomas), #36-Encyclopedia of Perennials (Christopher Woods), #04-Herbaceous Perennial Plants (Allan Armitage), #274-Site Authors' observations and growing experiences |