Description

This giant coneflower has clumps of huge, elephant ear-shaped, powder-blue leaves (thus the common name!) that give rise to stately towering flower stalks. The flowers have intense lemon-yellow flowers that dangle from tall brown centers. Please leave flower stalks up after bloom so goldfinches can enjoy the seed, and you can enjoy the goldfinches! Attracts birds and butterflies. Special value to native bees.
Tolerates a wide range of soils, from dry to medium to moist. If happy, Dumbo ears will naturalize by self-seeding.
Height: 5-7 ft.
Spread: 3-4 ft.
Family: Asteraceae
Bloom time: June to July
Sun: full sun
Water: dry to medium
Naturalize
According to Rutgers University, Rudbeckia are “seldom severely damaged” by deer
photo credit: David J. Stang