Rudbeckia maxima (Giant Coneflower)
Giant Coneflower is a stunning clump-forming perennial. It has blueish foliage and a flower stalk that shoots 4-6 feet into the sky. The flower has bright yellow petals and brown center.
Giant Coneflower is heat tolerant and not very particular about soil type, but it prefers full to partly sunny sites with moist, fertile well-draining soils, and will not survive extreme drought for long periods.
Giant Coneflower can be cut back to the base after blooming to keep it tidy or left to dry to provide seed for the goldfinches. It can be used as a backdrop plant behind or mixed among shorter perennials or planted en masse. It is excellent in naturalized areas, wildflower meadows, prairies, cottage gardens, and native plant gardens.
AT A GLANCE
| Texas native | Yes |
| Water use | Medium to high |
| Sun exposure | Part shade to full sun |
| Bloom color | Yellow |
| Bloom time | Summer |
| Mature height | 4-6 ft |
| Mature spread | 2-3 ft |
| Attracts | Bees, butterflies |
| Host plant | American Painted Lady butterfly |
| Notes | Native bee friendly. |
DISTRIBUTION MAPS
 Present in state |
 Present in county and native |
 Native to North America, but adventive & escaped in state |
 Not present in state |
 Present and rare, native in county |
 Previously present, now extinct |
 Questionable presence (cross-hatched, regardless of color) |