Rudbeckia: Sunny Daisies for the Late-Summer Garden

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Rudbeckia gives the garden golden and terracotta daisies with a dark domed centre from July until the frosts. It is easy, drought-tolerant and combines beautifully with echinacea, grasses and asters in autumn borders. Here are the annual and perennial types, planting, care and propagation.

Types of rudbeckia

• Black-eyed Susan (R. hirta) — a short-lived perennial often grown as an annual or biennial. Varieties: 'Cherry Brandy' (cherry red), 'Prairie Sun' (yellow with a green eye), 'Irish Eyes' and large-flowered Gloriosa Daisy.
• Orange coneflower (R. fulgida 'Goldsturm') — a reliable perennial, 50–70 cm, with golden petals and a black centre.
• Cutleaf coneflower (R. laciniata 'Golden Ball') — the classic “golden glow”, up to 2 m, with double yellow flowers.
• Brown-eyed Susan (R. triloba) — tall with masses of small flowers.

Planting and growing from seed

• Seedlings: sow R. hirta in March–April, barely covered; plants flower the same summer.
• Direct sowing: in May–June; these plants often flower the following year.
• Perennial types: plant divisions in spring or early autumn.
• Position: sun or light shade, any soil without waterlogging, 30–60 cm apart depending on height.

Care and propagation

Rudbeckia is drought-tolerant; established plants need water only in prolonged heat. Add compost in spring and deadhead to extend flowering, leaving a few heads for birds in winter. Tall varieties need support. Perennial clumps spread, so divide them every 3–5 years in spring. R. hirta self-seeds freely.

View full-size photoDifferent types and varieties of rudbeckia combined with other autumn flowers.

Rudbeckia in bouquets and borders

Cut rudbeckia lasts up to 10 days in a vase and brings warm autumn tones alongside sunflowers, chrysanthemums, hypericum and grasses. In the garden it is a star of naturalistic borders with echinacea, asters and salvia. More in autumn flowers and flowers that bloom all summer; the full A–Z is in types of flowers.

FAQ

Is rudbeckia annual or perennial?

Both: black-eyed Susan is often grown as an annual, while Goldsturm and cutleaf coneflower are long-lived perennials.

When does rudbeckia flower?

From July to September–October, until the first frosts.

Does rudbeckia need winter protection?

No, perennial types are hardy; just avoid waterlogging.

Author: Maria Svitlovir

Graduated from Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Institute of Biology and Medicine (2001). BSc in Biology, MSc in Horticulture. Writes about plants, works at a garden centre selecting and repotting plants, and contributes to plant reference guides.

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