This is a rare US native plant that you're not likely to run into at your neighborhood garden center. T

he giant, bold-textured Rudbeckia auriculata is endemic to a small region in southeastern Alabama and adjacent Florida and Georgia.

Our plants are propagated from plants we received from the Atlanta Botanic Garden, originally from a population in Webster County, Georgia.

Rudbeckia auriculata grows alongside pitcher plants in moist, sunny sites, but can also be found in alkaline seeps. In the garden, Rudbeckia auriculata grows in typical garden soils where it produces 8' tall, joe pye weed-like stalks that branch toward the top. The branches are then topped with clusters of 2-3" golden orange flowers in August and September. In rich soils, Rudbeckia auriculata can lean like the Tower of Pisa, so it's best used at the back of the border where it can find support as needed.

Host plant for the Silvery Checkerspot butterfly ( Chlosyne nycteis ) caterpillars and Wavy-Lined Emerald ( Synchlora aerata ) caterpillars.

Rudbeckia auriculata is also a host plant for several other butterfly species