The most beautiful coneflower species at a glance

Rudbeckias are particularly easy-care and richly flowering perennials for every garden. We give an overview of the most beautiful coneflower varieties and species.

the coneflower (Rudbeckia), also called Rudbeckia, is one of the most popular garden perennials. We present the most beautiful forms of the Rudbeckie.

Coneflower Species: How Many Are There?

The purple coneflower is native to North America, where it occurs wild in a variety of habitats from wet meadows and savannas to mountainous landscapes. The coneflower genus includes around 20 Rudbeckia species, which grow to an average height of between 50 and 300 cm. They usually form yellow, sometimes red-orange to red-brown ray florets. Typical of the Rudbeckia are the black-brown centers, which set a clear contrast to the colored petals.

Are echinacea and purple coneflowers the same thing? The coneflower shouldn't go with that mock coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) to be confused. Both have similar flowers and belong to the same daisy family (Asteraceae), but are not closely related. While the false coneflower is also important as a medicinal plant, rudbeckia are used exclusively as ornamental shrubs and in floristry.

The most beautiful coneflower types and varieties at a glance

The different coneflowers differ in their location requirements as well as the growth height, flower color and shape. We give an overview of the most beautiful types and varieties of coneflowers for the garden.

Slit-leaved coneflower (Rudbeckia laciniata)

As the name suggests, the slit-leaved coneflower shows deeply slit to pinnate leaves. The hardy perennials reach a height of over 200 cm. The ideal location for the vigorous and sometimes runner-forming plants is on fresh to moist, permeable and moderately nutrient-rich soil in sunny locations. The best-known varieties of the slit-leaved coneflower form double flowers with a diameter of up to 15 cm and at first glance look like yellow ones dahlias (dahlias) think.

• 'gold ball': Vigorous, full, yellow coneflower with many runners and large, double flowers. The variety can reach a height of 180 - 200 cm and is particularly suitable for planting on fences, as this increases stability.
• 'gold source': Stable coneflower variety with a height of 70 - 80 cm and strong propagation by runners. The flowering period extends from August to September.

Parachute Coneflower (Rudbeckia nitida)

The parachute coneflower is a tall perennial up to 200 cm and forms large, light yellow and pendulous ray florets around a green-brown center. It prefers moist to fresh, loamy and very nutrient-rich soil in sunny locations, also at the water's edge. Snails prefer to eat this type of coneflower, which is why it may be necessary to protect the young plants. The flowering period is between August and September.

• 'autumn sun': Echinacea with a growth height of 150 – 200 cm. The flowering period of the moisture-loving perennial begins in August.
• 'July Gold': The yellow coneflower grows slightly shorter than 'Herbstsonne' at 180 cm and starts flowering as early as July.

Missouri coneflower (Rudbeckia missouriensis)

The Missouri coneflower shows a more filigree growth than many other coneflower species. The prairie shrub reaches a height of up to 40 cm and forms lily-like, elongated leaves. The radiant petals are bright yellow and hang slightly around the button-like, brown center. The flowering period is between July and September. The Missouri coneflower prefers fresh soil, but also tolerates dry summers well.

October coneflower (Rudbeckia triloba)

The broad, bushy October coneflower forms dense clumps with a growth height of up to 130 cm. The small flowers with black centers appear en masse in autumn and serve as a valuable food source between August and October in early autumn when there are few flowers. The October coneflower is a biennial plant, which is self-sowing in suitable locations.

• 'Blackjack Gold': Sturdy, heavily branched up to 100 cm tall, yellow-flowered coneflowers with good drought tolerance. The numerous, small, sun-yellow flowers attract numerous bees and butterflies until October.
• 'Prairie Glow': About 100 - 120 cm high variety with flowering period from August to October. The color scheme of the 'Prairie Glow' sun hat is reminiscent of the blanket flower (Gaillardia), as it initially produces deep red flowers tipped with yellow, which later change to a bronze to orange hue.

Coneflower (Rudbeckia fulgida)

This best-known of all coneflower species can be found in numerous gardens. The densely bushy and fast-growing perennials reach an average height of 60 - 100 cm. The flowering period of the golden-yellow ray florets around their cone-shaped, black-brown center extends from July to October. The common coneflower prefers fresh, humus-rich and nutrient-rich soil in full sun.

• 'Gold Storm': The popular Rudbeckia 'Goldsturm' is considered to be a particularly flowering and easy-care variety. It is particularly common in cottage gardens and can grow to a height of 60 - 80 cm.
• 'Little Goldstar': Small coneflower variety with a compact habit of up to 50 cm. Rudbeckia 'Little Goldstar' flowers between August and October.

Rough Coneflower (Rudbeckia hirta)

The Rough Coneflower is also called Black-eyed Rudbeckia. The approximately 100 cm high and up to 60 cm wide perennials form subterranean, frost-hardy rhizomes from which they sprout again in spring. Some varieties of Rudbeckia hirta However, they are annuals and must be sown again every year. This species prefers sunny to semi-shady locations on permeable, nutrient-rich soil.

• 'Autumn Colours': Coneflowers with attractive flowers in all autumn colors from yellow through orange to deep red. The annual variety grows bushy between 60 - 100 cm high and flowers from August to October.
• 'Cherry Brandy': Rudbeckia with unusual red shades between strawberry and cherry red. This perennial red coneflower grows to 60cm tall and flowers between June and October.
• 'autumn forest': Sun hat with an attractive color gradient from yellow to burgundy. The annual to perennial plants grow up to 80 cm high and multiply by sowing in the bed.

• 'Maya': The dwarf Rudbeckia 'Maya' grows to about 50 cm in height and forms semi-double, yellow inflorescences around a reddish-brown centre.
• 'Sunbeckia Ophelia': Compact-growing, non-hardy variety up to 60 cm, which is particularly suitable for pot cultivation. Rudbeckia 'Sunbeckia Ophelia' forms large, yellow flowers around a yellow-green center and blooms into autumn.
• 'Toto Gold': Dwarf coneflower with a height of 35 cm and masses of small, golden yellow flowers between July and September.

Giant coneflower (Rudbeckia maxima)

The beginner-friendly giant coneflower can grow up to 300cm tall and produces showy flowers with a 5 cm high brown center surrounded by slightly pendulous sun yellow ray florets will. The large leaves are ovate and blue-grey in color. The clumpy perennials are 70 - 80 cm wide and prefer nutrient-rich, fresh to moist soil, also at the water's edge, in full sun to semi-shade. The heyday of the giant coneflower is between August and September.

Thinly felted coneflower (Rudbeckia subtomentosa)

The weak-felted coneflower is completely covered with fine hairs. The 100 - 150 cm high perennials show a special flower shape: Filigree light yellow tubular flowers, which end in a broader tip. The species blooms for a very long time between July and September and is particularly suitable for planting on sunny woody edges with soil that is not too dry. The best-known varieties are 'Henry Eilers' and 'Little Henry' with a lower growth height of 90 - 110 cm.

Western coneflower (Rudbeckia occidentalis)

The western coneflower is native to the western United States and does not have colored petals. Instead, the large, black-brown bulbous flowerheads surrounded by green bracts catch the eye. The large, toothed foliage shimmers silvery-green. The perennial reaches a height of up to 100 cm and prefers moist to fresh soil in full sun. Despite the absence of the petals, the peculiar western coneflower is often visited by bees between July and October and used in floristry. The most important variety of this type of coneflower is 'Green Wizard'.

Once the right species and variety has been selected for a location, the planting begins. You can find out the most important measures and the exact procedure in our article Plant and propagate coneflowers.