Rudbeckia Plant Care

Rudbeckia fulgida sullivantii ‘Goldsturm’ – Black Eyed Susan is a popular perennial. Probably the most used Rudbeckia hybrid due to it’s profuse bloom over a long period during Summer into Autumn and it’s size of 24-30″ high and wide. Rudbeckia belongs to the plant family Asteraceae. They are commonly called Coneflowers and Black-Eyed-Susans; all are native to North America and many species are cultivated in gardens for their showy yellow or gold flower heads.
Rudbeckia are herbaceous, mostly perennial plants (some annual or biennial) growing to 0.5–3 m tall, with daisy-like flowers. Some nice companion plants are Lavender, Dahlias, Calamagrostiis ‘Karl Foerster’, and Agapanthus ‘Peter Pan’.

 

Growing Rudbeckia plants requires a good deal of hot sun and plenty of good drainage for water.

 

Where To Plant

Select a site with full sun to light shade and well-drained soil.

How To Plant

• Plant in spring, spacing plants 2 to 3 feet apart, depending on the variety.
• Prepare the garden bed by using a garden fork or tiller to loosen the soil to a depth of 12 to 15 inches, then mix in a 2- to 4-inch layer of compost.
• Dig a hole twice the diameter of the pot the plant is in.
• Carefully remove the plant from its container and place it in the hole so the top of the root ball is level with the soil surface.
• Carefully fill in around the root ball and firm the soil gently.
• Water thoroughly.

Care

• Apply a thin layer of compost each spring, followed by a 2-inch layer of mulch to retain moisture and control weeds.
• Water plants during the summer if rainfall is less than 1 inch per week.
• After the first killing frost, cut stems back to an inch or two above soil line.
• Divide plants every 3 to 4 years as new growth begins in the spring, lifting plants and dividing them into clumps.