Orange Coneflower(Rudbeckia fulgida var. sullivantii)

Orange Coneflower (Rudbeckia fulgida)

Orange Coneflower is a longer-lived cousin of the familiar favorite Black-eyed Susan. With its warm golden petals, dark centers and strong upright form, it brings sunny charm year after year. It's mounded form and incredibly plentiful flowers that last from mid-summer into fall weave beautifully throughout sunny gardens, looks great all season long and provides great pollinator support. 

Despite the common name, the blooms read much more yellow than orange. The name likely reflects that it has a more warmer hue compared to other bright yellow rudbeckia species. 

Growing Conditions
Light: Full sun to light shade
Soil: Medium; tolerates clay and loam
Height: 2–4 feet
Spread: 1.5–2.5 feet
Zones: 3–8
Bloom time: July through September

Wildlife Value
Orange Coneflower supports a wide range of native bees and butterflies, offering nectar well into fall when many plants are fading. It’s also a host plant for the Silvery Checkerspot butterfly (Chlosyne nycteis), whose caterpillars feed on its foliage. Goldfinches and other seed-loving birds visit the spent blooms later in the season.

Blooms Alongside: blazing star (Liatris spp.), smooth blue aster (Symphyotrichum laeve), little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium), showy goldenrod (Solidago speciosa), mountain mint (Pycnanthemum virginianum), swamp milkweed (Asclepias incarnata), Joe Pye weed (Eutrochium maculatum)