Native Plant Database

Header Photo: Mervin Wallace

Showy Coneflower / Orange Coneflower

Rudbeckia fulgida
Plant Type: Herbaceous Perennials
Native Environment: Stream Edge, Wetland
Season of Interest: Late (July - frost)
Main Color: Yellow
Fall Color:

USDA PLANTS Range Map

At the range map link above, zoom in for county-level data

Flowers with brown centers and yellow petals along with green foliage.
Photo: Carol Davit
Sun Exposure 
Full Sun, Medium Sun/Average Shade
Soil
Moisture
Moderate, High
Nature Attracting
Butterfly
Wildlife Benefit
Butterfly / Moth Nectar
Animal
Resistance
Deer Resistant
Size

Height:

20 to
30
inches

Spread:

16 to
20
inches
Size
Height: 20 to
30
inches
Spread: 16 to
20
inches
Size
Height: 20 to
30
inches
Spread: 16 to
20
inches
Typical Landscape Use
Perennial borders, native gardens, cut flower gardens, wildflower meadows and prairies.
Establishment and Care Instructions
Grow in full sun or light shade in average to moist soil.
Special Features
Special Usage
Fresh Cut Flower
Basic Description

Yellow petals surround a brown-purple central seed head. Bloom are good cut flowers. Plants spread slowly from clumps and grow well in poorly drained clay soil.

Two varieties of this species are commonly available in the native plant nursery trade. Rudbeckia fulgida var. sullivantii is Showy Coneflower, which blooms from July-September. Rudbeckia fulgida var. umbrosa is Orange Coneflower, which blooms from August-September and requires adequate moisture especially when in flower. Both varieties are natively found in stream edge and wetland environments; sullivantii is also found in bottomland forests and along roadsides while umbrosa can also be found in wet cliff environments. Note, linked range map is for the species, Rudbeckia fulgida.

Flowers with yellow petals and brown centers.

Rudbeckia fulgida var. sullivantii. Photo: Mervin Wallace.

 

Yellow flowers with brown centers.

Rudbeckia fulgida var. umbrosa. Photo: Mervin Wallace.

Where Should I Start?

Check out the Grow Native! Committee’s Top Ten picks of native plants for a particular purpose.

What’s the Next Step?

Picked out your plants? View our Resource Guide of garden centers, seed sources, landscapers, education resources, and more!

Where Can I Find This Plant in Nature?

Learn about the Native Environment(s) inhabited by the plants in this database.

Support the Grow Native! Program
Skip to content