Rudbeckia hirta
Family: Compositae
Common name: CONEFLOWER
Native to: Central United States
Sentiment: justice
Plant
Type: perennial
Forms: clumping, erect, open form
Leaves deciduous
Max height: 6.6 feet
Max width: 1.3 feet
Flower
yellow
Leaf
green
Horticulture
Attracts wildlife: adult butterfly, bird, specific butterfly species
Plant part consumed by birds: seeds
Plant features: deciduous
Exposure: part shade, sun
Landscape uses: container, cut flower
Propagates by: seed
flowers in summer
Soil types: well drained, wide range
USDA Zones: zone 5 to -20 f, zone 6 to -10 f, zone 7 to 0 f, zone 8 to +10 f, zone 9 to +20 f
Temp. range: -20 to +30 °F
Water: moderate, regular
Butterflies that feed on this plant
There are 39 species of Rudbeckia, a member of the Compositae (Aster) family. Many CONEFLOWERS are widely available including fulgida, hirta, maxima, and occidentalis. CONEFLOWER blooms in summer, grows from seed, attract birds (for the seed), and range in height from ¾ feet to 6½ feet tall so give the gardener many composition options. Different species grow in Zones 4-10; they prefer moderate to regular watering.
Rudbeckia hirta will grow to a towering 6 1/2' tall while staying fairly narrow at 1 1/2' wide. (Rudbeckia hirta 'Indian Summer' is much smaller plant.) The simple pointed green leaf is alternate, toothed, and is either lanceolate or obovate. It is a deciduous short-lived perennial that can be grown in containers and in summer will produces large yellow flowers with a conspicuous central 'cone' loaded with pistils, stamens, and nectar. It is native to Central United States. It will grow in sun or part shade in a wide range of soils.
As a member of the Compositae family, this plant will attract a long list of butterflies.
In addition to those, Rudbeckia is particularly attractive to two butterflies:
Polites themistocles, Tawny-edged Skipper
Speyeria cybele, Great Spangled Fritillary
Rudbeckia hirta will attract additional butterflies:
Boloria selene, Silver-bordered Fritillary
Calephelis muticum, Swamp Metalmark
Oarisma poweshiek, Poweshiek Skipperling
Plebejus melissa, Melissa Blue
Container plants that attract adult butterflies - perennial
This plant can be grown in a container and will attract and feed adult butterflies. These plant can be found in every height range – from tiny to large – from less than a foot high to over 10 feet tall.
Our database of nectar plants for all US butterflies contains over 10,000 entries. The top five nectar plants -- Cirsium, Lantana, Asclepias, Salvia, and Verbena -- will appeal to 90% of all US butterflies. Pick from these if you want to provide nectar for your local butterflies.
Once you start with these, you can add from another 630 genera in 110 plant families to attract more insects to your garden.
By far the most import butterfly nectar plant family is Asteraceae. If you grow plants in from this family, butterflies will find your garden.
