Great Coneflower A tall, stately plant, Rudbeckia maxima is a clump-forming, herbaceous perennial, with an upright habit, which flowers from midsummer to autumn. The basal rosette of smooth, oval leaves is waxy, blue-grey. From July to October, the branching stems carry rich yellow daisy flowers, with slightly drooping petals surrounding a very tall cone, initially greenish, but turning brownish-black from the base upwards. The flowers are good for pollinators. Leave the seedheads standing over winter – they’re a favourite food for goldfinches and other small birds. Great coneflower is wonderful planted among tall grasses and blue asters in a border or prairie planting. Site: Tolerates exposureSoil: Any rich, fertile, moist, well-drained soil; tolerates damp soilPosition: Full sunSeason of interest: Mid summer to late autumnHardiness: Fully hardyHeight: 5’ (1.5m), often taller Spread: 2’4” (70cm) Photos by Peganum and licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.