seed packet contains ~160 seeds. These are local ecotype seeds grown at Edgewood Nursery, original seed stock from wild plants in VT.

This tall, colony forming perennial has many great features. Most people are familiar with them mostly as a pretty flower, but they also sport edible greens, which are tender and mild in the spring but edible through the season. Even in winter this plant has something to offer, dry seedheads, which are good food for birds.

4-7’ tall, spreads at a moderate pace by rhizome. Hardy to zone 3. Full sun to Part shade, enjoys extra moisture, but tolerates a dry spell.

I now have 2 different ecotypes of this species:

North-East Ecotype - Rudbeckia laciniata var. bipinnata - Original seed stock from a wild population in VT. This ecotype has significantly more cut foliage, that is also a bit fuzzier. They also bloom 2-3 weeks earlier and have a longer bloom period. For habitat focused plantings in the North-East I highly recommend this option.

Mid-West Ecotype - Rudbeckia laciniata var. laciniata - Original plant from Rebel Hill Nursery, likely from Prairie Moon before that. Wider leaves and slightly better flavor in my opinion. For Mid-West gardens or planting focused on human food, I recommend this option.

For a bunch more info on this plant see this podcast episode