Rudbeckias
Rudbeckias have become one of our most popular garden plants in recent years, and it’s no wonder why—these bushy plants produce masses of colourful flowers with a long blooming period from July to October. Characterized by their vibrant, daisy-like flowers surrounding a prominent conical disk, rudbeckias can be annuals, biennials, or herbaceous perennials. The annual varieties are grown as half-hardy annuals, sown indoors in warmth. While annuals may survive from year to year if left in the garden, their flowering may diminish over time. Although yellow is the most common colour, numerous red and orange-flowered varieties have been developed in recent years.
How to grow rudbeckias
Rudbeckias thrive in locations with either full sun or light shade. They require fertile soil enriched with ample organic matter, which retains plenty of moisture during spring and summer without drying out or becoming waterlogged.
Rudbeckia ‘Rudy Double Lemon Yellow’
Rudbeckia ‘Summerdaisys Double Red’
Rudbeckia ‘Rudy Double Rose Yellow’
Rudbeckia varieties sold as plants
| Rudbeckia ‘Rudy Double Rose Yellow’ |
| This pompom, double rudbeckia blooms continuously for months. Perfect for growing in containers and window boxes, it provides brilliant, long-lasting summer colour and is excellent for picking. |
| Rudbeckia ‘Rudy Double Yellow Lemon’ |
| This Rudbeckia has very attractive flowers with a unique V-shaped habit. It is well-branched and flowers very early. |
| Rudbeckia ‘Rudy Fire’ |
| An easy-care, herbaceous perennial with wide, daisy style flowers with golden yellow tips and a burnt orange centre. |
| Rudbeckia ‘Summerdaisys Double Red’ |
| This variety infuses the summer with its vibrant, fiery red blossoms. The double petals form charming, fluffy ruffles that are sure to create a stunning, eye-catching display in your summer garden. |
| Rudbeckia ‘Toto Gold’ |
| A striking compact coneflower that produces an abundance of rich golden-yellow blooms with dark chocolate brown centres. Flowering from summer into early autumn, it is perfect for containers and borders. |
Where to plant Rudbeckia
Flower borders and beds, patios, containers, courtyard gardens, cottage and informal gardens, cut flower garden.
See Apendix 1
Planting rudbeckias
- Choosing the Planting Time: Perennial rudbeckias can be planted throughout the year, but the ideal times are autumn or spring when the weather is cooler and plants are less likely to be stressed by the move.
- Preparing the Planting Area:
- Begin by preparing the planting area. Dig over the soil thoroughly to loosen it.
- Incorporate plenty of organic matter such as compost into the soil. This is crucial, especially if your soil is heavy clay or light, sandy soil. Organic matter improves drainage in clay soils and enhances moisture retention in sandy soils.
- Digging the Planting Hole:
- Dig a hole that is large enough to comfortably accommodate the rootball of your rudbeckia plant. The hole should be deep and wide enough to allow the roots to spread out easily.
- Planting the Rudbeckia:
- Place the rootball carefully into the planting hole. Adjust the depth so that the crown of leaves (where the stems meet the roots) is at ground level. This ensures that the plant is planted at the correct depth.
- Backfill with quality compost:
- Mix the soil you removed from the hole with more organic matter (compost). Use this mixture to fill in around the rootball. Gently firm the soil around the plant to eliminate air pockets.
- Applying Plant Food:
- Apply a general granular plant food around the base of the rudbeckia plants. Follow the application instructions on the product packaging. This helps provide essential nutrients for initial growth.
- Mulching:
- Spread a layer of organic mulch (bark or similar) around the plants. Aim for a thickness of 5-7.5cm (2-3 inches). Mulch helps retain soil moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature.
- Watering:
- After planting, water the rudbeckia plants thoroughly to settle the soil around the roots. Ensure the soil is evenly moist but not waterlogged.
By following these steps, you’ll give your rudbeckia plants a strong start and help them establish well in their new environment. Remember to continue monitoring their growth and provide occasional watering and a liquid feed as needed, especially during dry periods. Enjoy your beautiful rudbeckia blooms!
See bottom of page for detailed care recommendations
Rudbeckias from seeds
Seeds are inexpensive Rudbeckia costing only a “few pounds” for a pack of 500 seeds
Seeds can be started early, in greenhouse or on windowsill
Some varieties are only available as seeds
Sowing Rudbeckias
Sow rudbeckia seeds from February to April in pots or trays of moist seed-sowing compost at a temperature of 20-25°C (68-77°F). Transplant the seedlings into 7.5-10 cm (3-4 in) pots when they are large enough to handle. Harden them off by growing them in cooler conditions for 10-15 days before planting them out, spaced 30 cm (12 in) apart, after all risk of frost has passed.
Rudbeckia varieties sold as seeds
| Rudbeckia hirta ‘Marmalade’ |
| Large shimmering blooms and very weather-tolerant flowers. Versatile plants for large pots, borders or as a good cutflower. Specially selected by the RSPB to attract wildlife. |
| Rudbeckia hirta ‘Rustic Dwarf Mixed’ |
| A cottage garden variety in shades of terracotta, mahogany, amber and gold, often banded with contrasting colours. |
| Rudbeckia hirta ‘Toto’ |
| A large flowered dwarf variety with strongly contrasting, prominent central cones. Typically used as a long flowering annual in sunny borders and containers. Winner of an RHS Award of Garden Merit for reliability and good performance. |
| Rudbeckia amplexicaulis |
| This charming, easy and free flowering Rudbeckia will flower the same year as sown, providing long lasting displays. Plants are drought tolerant and when planted en masse will create a natural ‘prairie’ effect in the garden. This variety, which is also known as ‘Clasping Cone Flowers’ is certainly something different for the border, providing ‘Mexican hat’ style blooms. Winner of an RHS Award of Garden Merit for reliability and good performance. |
| Rudbeckia fulgida ‘Goldsturm’ |
| A rewarding, long flowering perennial with large golden, daisy-like blooms from late summer to autumn. Perfect for sunny or partially shaded, mixed borders. Winner of an RHS Award of Garden Merit for reliability and good performance. |
| Rudbeckia hirta ‘Aries’ |
| Durable ‘cone flowers’ with bold centres. A half-hardy perennial, best grown as a half hardy annual. Reliable and rewarding, vividly coloured border plants. Lasting displays, ideal for beds, borders, tubs and cutting. |
| Rudbeckia hirta ‘Cherry Brandy’ |
| Unique cherry-red blooms are produced on strong stems. Excellent in beds, borders and they make excellent cut flowers. |
| Continually gaining in popularity, these are wonderful garden performers, giving dramatic displays until frost. Dwarf types are ideal in tubs and taller types make lasting cut flowers. |
| Rudbeckia hirta ‘Gloriosa Daisies’ |
| A richly coloured border plant and cut flower. Very reliable, flowers over a long season. Brilliant daisy-like blooms with wonderful complementary colours. Excellent for cut flowers and the perfect to lift mixed borders. Usually grown as an annual. |
| How to care for Rudbeckia |
| Watering: |
| Water your rudbeckia plants as needed to keep the soil or compost consistently moist, especially during spring, summer, and early autumn. Aim to water the soil directly around the base of the plants rather than over the foliage. This helps prevent fungal diseases and ensures the roots receive moisture where it’s needed most. |
| Feeding: |
| Apply a liquid plant food every couple of weeks during the growing season. Choose a fertilizer formulated for flowering plants or perennials. This regular feeding will provide essential nutrients that promote healthy growth and encourage more, larger flowers. |
| Deadheading: |
| Regularly deadhead faded flowers by removing them promptly once they start to wilt. This practice encourages the plant to produce more blooms and prolongs the flowering period. Simply pinch off the faded flowers where they meet the stem using your fingers, scissors or garden secateurs. |
| By following these care tips, you’ll help your rudbeckia plants thrive, producing abundant flowers throughout the growing season. Regular watering, feeding, and deadheading will contribute to a healthy and vibrant display in your garden. |
| Autumn Maintenance: |
| In autumn, after the rudbeckia plants have finished blooming and the foliage begins to die back, it’s time for a more substantial pruning. |
| Cut down all the remaining growth to ground level. This helps tidy up the garden for winter and prepares the plants for their dormant period. |
| Dividing Overcrowded Plants: |
| Every 3 to 4 years, rudbeckia plants can become overcrowded as they produce new growth each spring. |
| To rejuvenate and maintain plant health, divide overcrowded clumps in early spring, just as new growth begins to emerge. |
| Carefully lift the entire clump of rudbeckia using a garden fork or shovel, taking care not to damage the roots. |
| Divide the clump into smaller sections, ensuring each division has both roots and shoots (new growth). |
| Replant the divisions in freshly prepared soil enriched with compost or organic matter. Space the divisions appropriately to allow for their future growth.By following these practices of deadheading and dividing, you’ll help your rudbeckia plants stay vigorous, produce more blooms, and maintain a neat appearance year after year. |
| By following these care tips, you’ll help your rudbeckia plants thrive, producing abundant flowers throughout the growing season. Regular watering, feeding, and deadheading will contribute to a healthy and vibrant display in your garden. |
| Apendix 1 | |
| Flowering season(s) | Summer, Autumn |
| Foliage season(s) | Spring, Summer, Autumn |
| Sunlight | Full sun, Partial shade |
| Soil type | Chalky, Clay, Loamy |
| Soil pH | Neutral |
| Soil moisture | Moist but well-drained |
| Ultimate height | Up to 90cm (3ft) depending on variety |
| Ultimate spread | Up to 90cm (3ft) depending on variety |
| Time to ultimate height | 2-3 years |