Planting Natives: Yellow but NOT Mellow!

Rudbeckia laciniata -- 'Cutleaf Coneflower'.

I added this wonderful native plant to my front yard just last summer (2009) and although it is yellow, it definitely is NOT mellow! Other names it has sometimes been called are Tall Yellow Coneflower, Tall Thimbleweed, Cone-disk Sunflower, Green-headed Coneflower and Wild Goldenglow.  I like the name 'Goldenglow' the best. To me, that name says it all.

I bought it in full bloom during the heat of the summer, not really knowing what to expect, other than I knew it was a native--and I knew it would get rather tall.  In my front, 'center-island' (as I call it) are holly trees and several large oaks. In front of those, where the late morning and afternoon sun shines down, I have planted shasta daisies, obedient plant, sedum, japanese anemone, astilbe and daffodils (the first to pop up in spring).

I added the Rudbeckia to one corner, as a kind of experiment. I wasn't sure how it would do long-term, but I'm happy to report that it's very hardy--flowering non-stop from mid-to-late June through late September-early October.

Native to about 48 states in the US, including much of Canada, Rudbeckia laciniata is in the Asteraceae family. Although the USDA Plant Database does list it as a 'threatened' species in Rhode Island, it is, on the whole, quite common and does very well in a variety of climates and circumstances.

It is said to have a very fast growth rate, but has not taken off much where I have it planted--at least, not yet. Mine is only about three feet tall after one year, so I would certainly not call it a 'vigorous' grower. Spreading by rhizome and from seed, my plant hasn't formed a clump that is really large enough to divide yet, and so far it has not spread in wild-abandon. That's not a bad quality--but I want more! I do believe it's time for a trip back to the nursery where I found this beauty.

I am sure it isn't a plant for every garden. It needs to be planted with the knowledge that it can get up to eight feet in height. In the 'right' location (depending on your personal preferences) it's a wonderful native to have in the garden. I've read that it does well in moist areas, but my garden has been pretty dry this summer and it's thrived on infrequent waterings. Basically, it thrives in almost any soil, temperature or climate. As noted earlier, there are very few areas of the country where this plant is known not to grow.

Right about now, the seed heads are beginning to get dark and it will soon stop flowering. I have been removing the seed heads all summer to encourage continuous blooming. But as the weather cools down and the flowering comes to an end, I will allow the remaining seed heads to stay attached to the plant. It might encourage a bit of re-seeding, which I wouldn't mind at all, as there is space for it to do so. Additionally, the added height and texture of the remaining stalks and seed heads will add interest to the winter garden.

I planted Miss Goldenglow right in front of my Sedum 'Autumn Joy' and next to my Daisies. It's a good combination, with the bright yellow blooms creating a pleasant and cheery effect in this area.

It's in an area that gets lots of sun--but 'dappled' by trees in the general area. It's known to be a woodland plant, after all--but also does well in open prairies.  The pollinators love it, too.

Today I am thankful that my garden season will extend through September and even into October, with plants like Rudbeckia laciniata helping it to hang on.


Be sure to join Gail at Clay and Limestone for more natives on Wildflower Wednesday.


Have a lovely day!

Words and photos ©Thanks For Today, by Jan Huston Doble