Rudbeckia

Rudbeckia are a wonderful perennial, easy to care for, drought tolerant once established and adding a colourful display to the garden.

Often referred to a 'black eyed susans' or 'cone flowers' their are a number of varieties well suited to garden use.

Rudbeckia hirta and Rudbeckia fulgida is one of the most widely grown of the species. Rudbeckia fulgida 'goldsturm' (picture right) is a favourite variety, it commences flowering in spring and grows well in full sun to part shade, yellow daisy like flowers with dark cones.

Rudbeckia Care and Growing Conditions

Generally suited to Zones 5 - 10 Rudbeckia varieties are reasonably disease resistant if planted in a sunny position in a well drained soil, good air flow helps to prevent problems. Seeds can sown in a cold frame or indoors about 2 - 3 months before planting out. Clumps can be divided in early spring

Rudbeckia Varieties

Rudbeckia hirta var angustifolia is a lovely variety, again yellow petalts and a dark central cone, but the petals are flushed with a burnt orange close to the cone. Rudbeckia hirta 'Cherry Brandy' is a red flowering cultivar while R.hirta 'Indian Summer' has some of the largest flowers we have seen. And if you are looking for an extra tough type then try Rudbeckia fulgida var. deamii probably the most drought tolerant variety of all.