Here is a much-admired member of the daisy family which displays golden blooms to rival any other late border beauty.
Take a trip back to the 17th and 18th century and we meet Olof Rudbeck the younger - the inspiration behind the naming of these plants. Olof and his father were botanists, with Olof junior teaching Carolus Linnaeus who invented our system of plant naming. Linnaeus was obviously a grateful student as he named 'Rudbeckia' after his teacher!
Rudbeckia are used regularly in herbaceous borders and fit perfectly within a Prairie style planting scheme amongst grasses.
The most celebrated variety is 'Goldsturm' - with bright yellow petals, a perennial of substantial height with multiple black eyed blossoms. (A common name for these plants is Black Eyed Susan). Seen in many an award-winning garden, this should be top of your Rudbeckia list.
Rudbeckia 'Toto' is half the size of 'Goldsturm'. At around 30cm, this Rudbeckias height is perfect for the front of a border or a pot. Smothered in yellow daisies, this is colourful but compact. Treated as an annual, it will flower from July until October.
Away from yellow, why not try 'Cherry Brandy' - the most glorious rich crimson wine colour and well worth a snifter! Think of this as the sunset to its yellow sunshine coloured friends! Grown in a border as an annual alongside its relative 'Goldsturm' and other late summer herbaceous plants such as dahlias, this really is eye-catching.
Where to grow Rudbeckia Plants?
- Ideally Rudbeckia plants want full sun however they will tolerate some light shade
- Well-drained soil
- Dependant on the variety Rudbeckia plants can be grown in borders, pots and patio containers
How to grow Rudbeckia plants?
- Spacing depends on the variety so check the instructions
- Rudbeckia plants require little or no extra feeding providing that they are growing in fertile soil
- Regular deadheading will ensure that the Rudbeckia plants continue to flower up to the first frosts
