What Is the Difference Between Echinacea & Rudbeckia?

Echinacea Characteristics

• Coneflowers (Echinacea spp.) are perennial plants. Though a handful of species are commercially available, the better-selling types are varieties and hybrids of purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea), hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 3 through 9. These plants are characterized by an upright habit, rough stems, hairy basal leaves and sharply domed central cones or disks. The flowers are large and often have reflexed or back-curving petals. In newer varieties, the petals may be horizontal instead. Varietal colors range from greenish white to shades of purple, pink, yellow, orange and red. Some are scented.

Rudbeckia Characteristics

• Rudbeckia shares a branching, upright growth habit with echinacea, but rudbeckia species vary widely in height. The range of colors of various rudbeckia species and hybrids is narrower than the range of colors for echinacea; the vast majority of rudbeckias have petals in shades of yellow to gold to yellow/orange, with central disks of black or brown. Some of the best-known species of rudbeckia, like gloriosa daisy (Rudbeckia hirta), hardy in USDA zones 3 through 7, and brown-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia triloba), hardy in USDA zones 3 through 11, are short-lived perennials, most often grown as annuals.

Combinations

• By making the most of the contrasts and similarities between rudbeckias and echinaceas, you can create a long-lived, colorful garden. Echinaceas generally bloom in early to mid-summer, while rudbeckias bloom in late summer and early fall. Echinaceas, with their wide color range, fit with a number of garden color schemes, such as hot colors, pastels, mixes of blues and blue-purples. Rudbeckias, with their narrower range, need more careful positioning. Both work well planted in swathes with grasses, asters and goldenrods. Seeds from the central cones or disks of both genera are attractive to birds.

Culture

• Echinaceas and rudbeckias are adaptable plants, but they flourish best in sunny situations with well-drained soil. Once established, they can tolerate short dry spells without additional irrigation, but very hot, dry weather causes petals to shrivel quickly. Some rudbeckias, especially Rudbeckia hirta and Rudbeckia triloba, self-seed readily. If this is not desirable, remove spent flowerheads as the blooms fade and grub out seedlings in the spring. Perennial species in both genera form clumps, which can be divided easily if the plants outgrow their garden spaces.