Cutleaf Coneflower (Rudbeckia laciniata)

Cutleaf coneflower is a tall, hardy native perennial wildflower known for its cheerful golden-yellow flowers with prominent green centres and deeply divided leaves. Native to much of eastern and central North America, including Ontario, it grows naturally in moist meadows, woodland edges, floodplains and along streams. Its abundant summer blooms make it a beautiful addition to native plant gardens, rain gardens, food forests and naturalized landscapes.

The flowers attract bees, butterflies and other beneficial insects, while the seeds provide food for birds, particularly goldfinches, later in the season. Its tall stems also offer shelter and habitat for insects throughout the year. Cutleaf coneflower is an excellent choice for restoring biodiversity and creating resilient, nature-guided gardens.

The young leaves and tender shoots have traditionally been used as cooked greens, sometimes called sochan. They are harvested in spring and cooked before eating. Mature leaves become tougher and more bitter, so this plant is generally valued for its young spring growth rather than its older foliage.

Cutleaf coneflower thrives in full sun to partial shade and prefers rich, moist soil, although established plants can tolerate occasional dry periods. It can reach 1.5–3 metres in height, forming impressive clumps that gradually spread through underground rhizomes. Its height can be controlled through a pruning technique known as the Chelsea chop, which involves cutting the stems back substantially in late spring, before flower buds develop. This encourages shorter, bushier growth, can help prevent the tall stems from falling over and may slightly delay flowering. Its vigorous growth makes it particularly suitable for larger gardens and naturalized areas where it has room to develop.

All the seeds we offer, including our cutleaf coneflowers, are collected from plants we cultivate in our own food forest at Willows Green Permaculture, never from wild populations.

Sow seeds directly outdoors in late fall for natural cold stratification, or winter sow in pots left outside under the snow. For spring sowing, provide approximately 30–60 days of moist cold stratification in the refrigerator before planting. Press seeds lightly into moist soil and cover very thinly. Keep the soil moist until germination.

At least 50 seeds per packet.