Rudbeckia Species, Brown-eyed Susan, Thinleaf Coneflower, Three-lobed Rudbeckia

Rudbeckiatriloba

Family
Asteraceae (ass-ter-AY-see-ee)
Genus
Rudbeckia (rud-BEK-ee-a)
Species
triloba (try-LO-buh)
Synonym
Centrocarpha aristata
Centrocarpha triloba
Sun Exposure
Full Sun
Sun to Partial Shade
Foliage
Herbaceous
Height
4-6 ft. (1.2-1.8 m)
Spacing
24-36 in. (60-90 cm)
Hardiness
USDA Zone 3a: to -39.9 °C (-40 °F)
USDA Zone 3b: to -37.2 °C (-35 °F)
USDA Zone 4a: to -34.4 °C (-30 °F)
USDA Zone 4b: to -31.6 °C (-25 °F)
USDA Zone 5a: to -28.8 °C (-20 °F)
USDA Zone 5b: to -26.1 °C (-15 °F)
USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3 °C (-10 °F)
USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 °C (-5 °F)
USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 °C (0 °F)
USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 °C (5 °F)
USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F)
USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)
USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F)
USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)
USDA Zone 10a: to -1.1 °C (30 °F)
USDA Zone 10b: to 1.7 °C (35 °F)
USDA Zone 11: above 4.5 °C (40 °F)
Bloom Color
Gold (yellow-orange)
Bright Yellow
Bloom Time
Late Summer/Early Fall
Mid Fall
Other Details
Category
Perennials
Water Requirements
Drought-tolerant; suitable for xeriscaping
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater
Foliage Color
Where to Grow
Grow outdoors year-round in hardiness zone
Bloom Characteristics
Flowers are good for cutting
This plant is attractive to bees, butterflies and/or birds
Flowers are fragrant
Bloom Size
Other details
Soil pH requirements
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline)
Patent Information
Non-patented
Propagation Methods
By dividing the rootball
From seed; direct sow outdoors in fall
From seed; winter sow in vented containers, coldframe or unheated greenhouse
From seed; sow indoors before last frost
From seed; direct sow after last frost
Self-sows freely; deadhead if you do not want volunteer seedlings next season
Seed Collecting
Allow seedheads to dry on plants; remove and collect seeds
Properly cleaned, seed can be successfully stored
Regional

This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:

Ponca, Arkansas

Carlsbad, California

Nevada City, California

Richmond, California

San Leandro, California

Denver, Colorado(2 reports)

Erie, Colorado

Loveland, Colorado

Sharon, Connecticut

Cordele, Georgia

Plano, Illinois

Greenville, Indiana

Jeffersonville, Indiana

Kalona, Iowa

Hebron, Kentucky

Gonzales, Louisiana

Takoma Park, Maryland

North Dartmouth, Massachusetts

Clarkston, Michigan

Detroit, Michigan

Eben Junction, Michigan

Pinconning, Michigan

West Olive, Michigan

Isle, Minnesota

Minneapolis, Minnesota(3 reports)

Saint Cloud, Minnesota

Saint Paul, Minnesota

Waynesboro, Mississippi

Cross Timbers, Missouri

Frenchtown, New Jersey

Binghamton, New York

Cayuga, New York

Greenwich, New York

Olmstedville, New York

Belmont, North Carolina

Elizabeth City, North Carolina

Greenville, North Carolina

Jacksonville, North Carolina

Raleigh, North Carolina

Rowland, North Carolina

Bucyrus, Ohio

Columbia Station, Ohio

Columbus, Ohio

Guysville, Ohio

, Ontario

Chiloquin, Oregon

Downingtown, Pennsylvania

Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania

Millersburg, Pennsylvania

New Freedom, Pennsylvania

Columbia, South Carolina

Seabrook, South Carolina

Beaumont, Texas

Crockett, Texas

Dallas, Texas

Richardson, Texas

Jensen, Utah

Leesburg, Virginia

Camano Island, Washington

De Pere, Wisconsin

Green Bay, Wisconsin

Lake Geneva, Wisconsin

Racine, Wisconsin

show all

Featured Videos

Gardener's Notes:

11
positives
2
neutrals
0
negative
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R
Takoma Park, MD (Zone 7a) | August 2020 | neutral

Rudbeckia triloba is a very aggressive seeder and grower. Although technically a perennial, its seeding behavior is closer to an annual. ...Read More

J
Southeast, WI | January 2016 | positive

My neighbors had a bunch of these in their small front garden. Well, we share a burning pit with them, and one day in Autumn, I found tha...Read More

M
Wappingers Falls, NY | August 2011 | positive

I grew this plant from seed by sowing seed directly in the ground last August. It germinated quickly, and grew a few inches tall before w...Read More

D
D
Lake Geneva, WI | June 2010 | positive

I've enjoyed this plant in my garden for several years - hops around. This year it's all over the gardens - 3-4 ft. tall and this is onl...Read More

W
Petersburg, VA | May 2009 | positive

I was given a Brown-eyed Susan eleven years ago, and this would seem to be the same type, except that mine can range in height from three...Read More

C
Broomfield, CO (Zone 5b) | April 2008 | positive

From your friends at Botanical Interests: Rudbeckia triloba is usually grown as an annual, but it is actually a short-lived perennial in ...Read More

B
Seabrook, SC (Zone 8b) | August 2007 | positive

I bought one of this plant and it spread slowly and controlled in an area of my yard that gets about 5 hours of sun. I dead headed it in...Read More

K
Portland, OR (Zone 8b) | June 2007 | positive

My experience with this lovely plant is that it definitely needs afternoon shade or it wilts. It freely reseeds and pops up around the ga...Read More

M
Coon Rapids, MN (Zone 4a) | November 2006 | positive

This is a interesting plant rarely seen in the plant trade compare to Black Eye Susan and most likely found in wildflower specific greenh...Read More

L
Ogden, UT (Zone 5b) | January 2005 | positive

This tall wildflower makes a great companion plant for ornamental grasses like Miscanthus. It's also known by the common name Branched Coneflower.

L
Jeffersonville, IN (Zone 6a) | August 2003 | positive

Mine grew 5' tall and very bushy and full. The flowers just cover the plant, and I like their shape better than R. fulgida. It starts to ...Read More

P
Westbrook, ME (Zone 5a) | January 2003 | positive

This easy rudbeckia provides a lot of bang for your money. I started plants from seed which bloomed profusely the second year. The third ...Read More

T
Kearney, NE (Zone 5a) | September 2001 | neutral

A United States native which flowers over a longer period of time than 'Goldstrum' The basil leaves are 3-lobed. The flowers are smalle...Read More

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