Coneflower

This genus of 23 species of herbaceous perennials is native to North America. It was named by Carl Linaeus in honor of Professor Olof Rudbeck the Younger (1660-1740) and his father, Olof Rudbeck the Elder (1630-1702).

This group of herbaceous perennials has been a mainstay of the sunny bed or border for a long time. Most of the species are hardy for temperate zone gardens but a few tender ones are sold to be used as annuals.

 

PGC-A-Rudbeckia-Tiger-Eye-Gold-2010-003
Rudbeckia amplexicaulis  
R. cenne  
R. fulgida Orange Coneflower
R. hirta Annual Blackeyed Susan
R. hirta var. pulcherrima  
R. laciniata Cut-leaved Coneflower
R. maxima Great Coneflower
R. nitida  
R. speciosa Showy Coneflower
R. subtomentosa Sweet Coneflower
R. triloba Browneyed Susan

  Coreopsis Echinacea Ratibida Rudbeckia
Leaf arrangement Opposite alternate alternate alternate
Ray flowers Yellow Purple (1)  Yellow Yellow
Shape of disc Flattened Raised Columnar Raised (2)

(1) cream colored in E. paillda
 (2) columnar in R. laciniata
Species Hgt (in) Flower Color (disk)
R. hirta 18-30 Black
R. laciniata 30-72 Greenish
R nitida 36-48 Greenish
R. triloba 24-36 Black

* Guides and Keys are from the book "Herbaceous Perennial Plants A Treatise on their Identification, Culture and Garden Attributes" by Dr Allan M. Armitage of the University of Georgia. Varsity Press, Athens, Georgia. 1989 ISBN 0-942375-00. More on Dr Armitage and his other books.

 
 
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