Cutleaf Coneflower is a tall, dramatic perennial native to Missouri's moist woodlands and streamsides, reaching 5 to 7 feet in typical garden conditions. Its deeply lobed, finely textured foliage sets it apart from other coneflowers, with abundant daisy-like flowers featuring bright yellow drooping petals and distinctive lime-green dome-shaped centers blooming from July through September. Hardy from zones 3 to 9, it thrives in full sun to partial shade and tolerates hot, humid summers with ease, while its deer resistance and butterfly magnetism make it a natural choice for meadow gardens or cottage borders.
24
Partial Sun
Moderate
3-9
84in H x 36in W
—
High
Hover over chart points for details
The intricate, feathery foliage gives this plant a delicate quality that belies its sturdy 5 to 7-foot stature, creating an airy backdrop that works beautifully in naturalized settings. Flowers reach 3.5 inches across with reflexed yellow rays that seem to float around chartreuse centers, making them outstanding for cutting and long-lasting in the vase. It attracts butterflies throughout its long summer-to-fall bloom window while remaining completely deer-proof, and it tolerates the heat and humidity that stop many other perennials cold.
Cutleaf Coneflower excels in naturalized plantings, meadow gardens, and cottage borders where its height and airy texture can be fully appreciated. The long-lasting flowers are exceptional for cutting, bringing that distinctive chartreuse and yellow color combination into summer bouquets that hold their form for weeks. Its role as a late-season nectar source for butterflies and other pollinators makes it invaluable in wildlife gardens.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Remove spent flower heads throughout the blooming season to encourage continuous flowering through September. In early spring, cut back overwintered stems to ground level to rejuvenate the plant. Divide established clumps every 3 to 4 years in spring to control aggressive spread via underground stems and maintain plant vigor.
Enter your ZIP code to see a personalized growing calendar for this plant.
“This Missouri native perennial has inhabited rich woodlands, thickets, and streamside habitats for centuries, earning its common name 'tall coneflower' from its exceptional height in native conditions, where it can reach 9 feet. The species Rudbeckia laciniata was named for its deeply lobed, lacy foliage, and the cultivar 'Hortensia' represents generations of garden selection for ornamental qualities, bringing this wild plant into domestic gardens while preserving its vigor and architectural presence.”