Orange Coneflower
Rudbeckia fulgida var. fulgida
Pickup available at Aiken Nursery
Usually ready in 2-4 days
Rudbeckia fulgida var. fulgida is the true orange coneflower, the wild species that stands behind the famous 'Goldsturm', quieter, finer, and later to bloom than that celebrated garden child. From a low clump of dark, roughly hairy leaves rise branching stems two to three feet tall, each ending in a small golden daisy about two inches across, the deep yellow rays set around a low dome of brown-black. Where many of the black-eyed Susans have blazed and faded by August, the orange coneflower is only getting started, carrying many small flowers from late summer well into October.
A native of open woods, meadows, and moist savannas east of the Mississippi, from the Florida panhandle north to New York and west into Illinois, the orange coneflower ranks among the latest of the clan to flower. The genus honors Olof Rudbeck, the Swedish botanist and teacher of Linnaeus, while fulgida, shining or glittering, catches the way the ranked daisies seem to throw the light back at the eye. Unlike the running var. sullivantii, the true species keeps to a well-mannered clump and does not colonize by aggressive underground runners, staying more or less where the gardener sets the clump.
In the garden, Rudbeckia fulgida var. fulgida earns a place at the front or middle of a sunny border, in a meadow, or through a pollinator planting, where the late bloom fills the tired gap at summer's close. The small daisies feed bees and butterflies well into fall, and the seed heads bring goldfinches down through the cooler weeks. Pair the orange coneflower with asters, little bluestem, goldenrod, and Joe-Pye weed for a loose, native, long-season picture.
Give the plant full sun to part shade and an average to moist, well-drained soil, and the orange coneflower asks for little more, taking clay in stride and shrugging off dry spells once the roots run deep. Leave the seed heads standing for the birds and the winter silhouette, then cut the old stems to the ground in late winter as the fresh rosette returns. A tough, honest, late-blooming native coneflower, the true species rather than the cultivar.
- Hardiness
- USDA Zones 3–9
- Sun
- Full Sun, Part Shade
- Soil
- Average, Well-drained, Moist
- Mature size
- Height 2–3 Feet · Spread 1–2 Feet
- Growth rate
- Moderate
- Seasonality
- Dies back, depends on zone
Golden-yellow rays around a brown-black cone, late summer into fall
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is shared for traditional and educational interest only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Please consult a qualified healthcare professional before any medicinal use.
- May cause skin irritation on contact
- Toxic to cattle and horses
- Historical use only; not evaluated for internal human use
From rooting to shipping, our top priority is ensuring you receive healthy, thriving plants for your garden’s success.
Because most of our plants are grown from rooted cuttings — alongside seed, air layering, and grafting chosen for each variety — you receive a stronger, true-to-type plant that establishes quickly in your garden.
Raised on organic soil blends and eco-friendly pest management — never harsh chemicals — your plant arrives healthy for your garden, your family, and the pollinators they feed.
Every purchase gives back. We donate to the Aiken Arboretum and support local wildlife conservation, so growing your garden helps protect the wider ecosystem too.
All our plant material is carefully propagated, grown, and nurtured at our humble nursery in Aiken, South Carolina.
Your plant arrives carefully packed and ready to settle in. Unpack them promptly, give them a day or two to acclimate, then plant following the notes we include — that’s all it takes. Clear care guidance comes with every order, so success is the easy part.
What to expect upon delivery
All our plants are sold in 1-gallon sizes, though the height of each plant can vary depending on its growth rate and seasonality, typically ranging from 1/2 to 2.5 feet.
Each plant is carefully packaged with its roots enclosed in a secure plastic bag containing moist soil, forming a compact root ball. To ensure safe transport, the box is padded with recycled newspaper, providing both stability and eco-friendly protection from weather during shipping.
What is your return policy?
Review our full return policy information on our SHIPPING AND RETURNS POLICY page.
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At Woodlanders, we strive to fulfill orders as quickly as possible. Therefore, we can only accommodate changes to your order within the first 24 hours after it has been placed. These changes include adding or removing products and modifying the delivery address. If you need to make any changes or if there has been a mistake with your order information, please reach out to us promptly via our CONTACT page with your order number for the quickest resolution.
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