Rudbeckia comes in many sizes and shapes. There are so many varieties that they can be confusing to buy. But they are a staple in the garden border, and deserve a place in your summer sun garden.
Rudbeckia fulgida is the Black eyed Susan many of us know. It along with most of the Rudbeckias grow best in moderately rich to average, well drained neutral soil.
Rudbeckia have yellow flowers, some double, some with coloured centers, brown, black or green. They bloom in mid summer and into the autumn.
They prefer sun to partial shade and will provide a long period of bloom if given this.
They are often used in naturalized areas, and wildflower gardens. They withstand drought well, but prefer a steady source of water in a well drained area. Standing water can cause them to die out.
They are perennials, but a few, such as Rudbeckia hirta, are treated as annuals because they are short lived perennials. Most however, live a long time and reward you with a carefree garden plant.
Easily propagated by seed or division. The seeds take 5 to 21 days to germinate. They need to be sown on the surface as they need light to germinate. Provide a temp of 70 to 75F. Sow outdoors 2 weeks before the last frost, or anytime in the late summer to fall. Indoors sow 6 to 8 wks before last frost. Readily self-seeds! Divide in the spring or autumn, every 5yrs, if it is still blooming and centre is green leave it alone, it does not need dividing, unless you need new plants.
Most varieties form a nice clump and stand up nicely. There is usually no reason to stake these plants. Some of the taller rudbeckias may require staking, or protection from the wind.
They are hardy zones 3 to 9. Most varieties are long lived.
The varieties include:
The different varieties and sizes, 1 1/2' to 7' tall, their ease of care, and tolerance for drought,make them a must for almost every garden.
I have these planted through out the garden, and they give me a wonderful bloom from july until October. I find that they benefit from a top dressing of compost/manure in the spring. Too much fertilizer and you end up with lots of leaves. If they wilt, they recover quickly after watering. They make great cut flowers, some of them require searing of the cut flower stem to seal. They require deadheading only, no other pruning.
And now a note regarding the Cultivar Goldsturm. A very good friend and avid gardener, upon seeing two different spellings, researched the name in several encyclopedias. Strum in German means "storm", so it only makes sense that a plant that is absolutely covered with gold blooms would be named "Storm of Gold" or Goldsturm and not Goldstrum as we so often see it called. Thank you Dorothy.
Rudbeckia nitida 'Goldquelle'
Rudbeckia hirta 'Gloriosa'
Rudbeckia maxima
Rudbeckia fulgida 'Goldsturm'
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