what does rudbeckia look like

Full Answer

How big does a Rudbeckia get?

The most commonly thought of Rudbeckia is the traditional black-eyed Susan, a daisy-like flower with gold petals and a dark center seed head. It also has the well-known scratchy, hairy leaves, which are not one of its best features. Mature Size: Species vary from dwarf 1 foot to giant 9 feet tall.

What are the different colors of Rudbeckia?

Most Rudbeckia varieties come in shades of yellow or orange, with a dark center seed head, but the flower heads are actually quite varied. There are Rudbeckia with petals in russet, bronze, and mahogany tones.

What is another name for Rudbeckia?

Rudbeckia are perennial flowering plants that are hardy in Zones 4–9. Like many plants, they have several common names, among which are: Black-eyed Susan, Gloriosa Daisy, and Yellow Ox Eye.

What does a Prairie Sun Rudbeckia look like?

Prairie Sun Rudbeckia The prairie sun option blooms from summer to frost in zones 3 to 8. This plant that grows to be about 3-feet tall produces daily-like flowerheads that are about 5-inches in diameter. Unlike the chocolate brown center disc seen on common black-eyed susans, this one has a green to yellow-green center disc.

See more

Is Rudbeckia the same as Black-Eyed Susan?

Rudbeckia hirta (Black-eyed susan) is often called Brown-eyed susan. Two common names for the same species.

Do Rudbeckia flowers come back every year?

Blooming mainly in summer, black-eyed Susans (Rudbeckia hirta) commonly grow 24 inches tall with signature yellow to orange petals and a dark center point. Although the blossoms appear fragile, these perennials have a strong root system that often allows the plant to rejuvenate itself every year.

Where is the best place to plant Rudbeckia?

full sunWhere to plant. Rudbeckias grow well in full sun. They will flower okay in light shade, but the shadier the location the less they will flower. Rudbeckias like a fertile soil that holds plenty of moisture in spring and summer.

What does a Rudbeckia flower look like?

Rudbeckia hirta 'Double Gold' (Gloriosa daisy) A very showy double-flowered form of black-eyed Susan with large golden-yellow flowers up to 3 ½ inches wide produced in profusion on long, sturdy stems. Grow as an annual or a short-lived perennial.

What do you do with Rudbeckia in the winter?

If you don't like an untidy look in winter, you could cut them right down and mulch heavily over the top, a good couple of inches or more, with something like garden compost, bark chips, whatever, again for added protection. But don't forget to rake off some of the mulch in spring, as growth begins.

Should you deadhead Rudbeckia?

Do not remove the faded flowers on plants that produce seed loved by birds, including Rudbeckia, cornflower and sunflower. There is no need to deadhead rose cultivars that bear hips or other plants that bear berries in the autumn.

Should I cut back Rudbeckia in autumn?

It's a good time to cut the old foliage back to the ground. The crown (base of the plant) will remain dormant over winter and will produce fresh shoots the following spring. Dying stems can damage the crown and roots if battered about by autumn and winter gales, so they will benefit from being cut right back.

How do you maintain Rudbeckia?

Apply a layer of compost or mulch around the plants in spring to retain soil moisture and control weeds. Water plants whenever necessary to keep the soil or compost moist during spring, summer and early autumn, as this will prolong flowering. Always try to water the soil or compost, rather than over the foliage.

How tall does Rudbeckia get?

The plant is huge, growing to 39–47 inches in height and spreading 23–29 inches. Colonies of this species can be quite large, covering massive areas. The flowers are a bright and showy yellow and make perfect cut flowers and are attractants for pollinators and beneficial insects.

What is the difference between Rudbeckia and echinacea?

Echinacea is typically pink and black or purple and black in color, while rudbeckia is a vibrant yellow or orange with a yellow or black center. The echinacea flower is also slightly larger, sometimes requiring support if the flower heads become too heavy.

What's the difference between black-eyed Susans and brown eyed Susan?

Additionally, the central stalk of Brown-Eyed Susan will branch multiple times creating a shrub/bushy like appearance. While Black-Eyed Susans will generally be a single stalk, or have very limited branching. Furthermore, some leaves of Brown Eyed Susan will be deep-lobed, almost having 3 wide prongs.

How long do Rudbeckia plants last?

They grow to roughly 75cm / 30in high (see below for height of specific varieties). Yellow / orange flowers appear in mid August and last to October. They are not scented. The leaves die down in November time....RUDBECKIA FULGIDA SUMMARY.HARDY(to -22°C / -11°F)FLOWER TIMEAugust to October19 more rows

How big does Rudbeckia grandiflora grow?

Rudbeckia grandiflora is a rhizomatous perennial species native to the Eastern United States. The plant is huge, growing to 39–47 inches in height and spreading 23–29 inches. Colonies of this species can be quite large, covering massive areas. The flowers are a bright and showy yellow and make perfect cut flowers and are attractants for pollinators and beneficial insects.

What zone is Rudbeckia in?

Rudbeckia are perennial flowering plants that are hardy in Zones 4–9. Like many plants, they have several common names, among which are: Black-eyed Susan, Gloriosa Daisy, and Yellow Ox Eye. They are members of the Asteraceae family and are native to both damp woodlands and dry prairies in North America.

How tall does Rudbeckia hirta grow?

Rudbeckia hirta cultivars: ‘Autumn Colors’ grows to 20–23 inches in height and spreads 12–18 inches. The flowers are a dark mix of bronze orange and red. The variety makes an excellent addition to any garden. ‘Cherokee Sunset’ grows to 27–29 inches in height and spreads 12–16 inches. This variety is simply stunning.

How big do black eyed Susans get?

Rudbeckia have a clumping, but upright habit, and coarse texture. Black-eyed Susans will average 2–3 feet in height and about 1–2 feet in clump width. However, colonies of Black-eyed Susans can become quite large.

What are the insects that a Rudbeckia attract?

Additional insects that Rudbeckia will attract are hover flies and minute pirate bugs. These insects are very good natural predators of garden pests, such as thrips, aphids, and whiteflies.

How to propagate Rudbeckia?

Rudbeckia can be propagated by seed, but the best way to propagate them is by division. Seed: If propagating from seed, sow seeds in early to mid-fall, or early to mid-spring. Seeds sown in the spring will need to be stratified (subjected to a cold treatment to mimic winter conditions) for 3 months at 40°F.

When does Rudbeckia bloom?

This species typically flowers in mid- to late summer through mid-fall.

What is the color of the rudbeckia hirta?

The blooms of this rudbeckia type are a vibrant reddish-maroon. Take advantage of these attention-grabbers by pairing them with the contrasting colors of the 'Irish Eyes' variety. 'Cherry Brandy' will bloom continually throughout the summer. For more profuse blossoms, deadhead regularly. This plant needs weekly watering and is not quite as tolerant of drought as other varieties.

What is the genus of Rudbeckia?

Two of the most common species in the genus are Rudbeckia hirta, ...

What are some good flowers to grow with Rudbeckia?

Butterflies, birds, and bees won't miss the glowing yellow beacons of Rudbeckia hirta 'Irish Eyes.' This is a black-eyed Susan without black eyes: The centers of the blooms are greenish-yellow. Combine this bold wildflower with other natives like liatris, salvia, or butterfly milkweed for a low-maintenance flower garden, even in areas with heavy clay soil. Highlight the attractive green centers of these blooms by pairing them with green flowers in your flowerbed, like Zinnia 'Envy' or Rudbeckia occidentalis 'Green Wizard.' If you don't have a large space for a flower garden, 'Irish Eyes' does well in container gardens. It's a bit less drought tolerant than other R. hirta cultivars, however.

How tall is Rudbeckia maxima?

Known more properly as giant coneflower, it fills a niche where tall flowers are concerned—this native wildflower can attain heights of 7 feet in the garden. The foliage looks great, too, with prominent bluish-green leaves that give this plant the alternate nickname of "cabbage flower." A must in any cottage garden, giant coneflower tolerates a wide range of growing conditions. But it needs plenty of water and doesn't have great drought tolerance.

Is the Cherokee Sunset a dahlia?

Rudbeckia hirta 'Cherokee Sunset' looks more like a dahlia than a humble black -eyed Susan flower. The semi-double to fully double blooms are deer-resistant and attract pollinating insects, butterflies, and birds. Like other rudbeckia varieties, it self-seeds.

Is Rudbeckia hirta a perennial?

Interest in this cultivar exploded after the All-America Selections named it a 1995 winner. You can grow this heat- and drought-tolerant plant as a short-lived perennial, but it blooms from seed its first year and volunteers freely, making it suitable as an annual as well. Watch for the fuzzy green seedlings to emerge in early spring, and thin them out to give the plants adequate spacing, which helps prevent mildew from poor air circulation.

Do Rudbeckias self seed?

Most rudbeckias are short-lived perennials that may die out after just a couple of years. However, these plants self-seed very easily, and they grow so fast that a small patch can be sustained almost indefinitely.

What is the color of the Indian Summer Rudbeckia?

The rays are usually bright yellow, but some rays may have an orange tint to them.

How tall does a prairie sun rudbeckia grow?

Prairie Sun Rudbeckia. The prairie sun option blooms from summer to frost in zones 3 to 8. This plant that grows to be about 3-feet tall produces daily-like flowerheads that are about 5-inches in diameter.

What do the yellow rays on Henry Eiler Rudbeckia look like?

The rolled, sunshine yellow rays on the Henry Eiler rudbeckia almost look like asterisk marks ending with the domed, brown center disc. The quill-looking rays are single and widely spaced. This option that blooms from early summer to early fall grows to be about 5-feet tall. This plant thrives in zones 4 to 8.

How tall do black eyed susans grow?

This plant that is hardy from zones 5 to 8 grows to be 24-inches tall. This upright choice produces some of the earliest blooms on black-eyed susans. Each ray has bright yellow tips. This plant may be a great way to welcome in summer.

What color is a mahogany plant?

This plant that struggles to reach 2-feet tall produces mahogany-red rays with yellow tips. The mahogany color becomes a little redder as the flower fades. Some plants have more extensive tips than others. The center disc is black or an intense purple. This option will grow from zones 5 to 9.

How many heads does a cutleaf coneflower have?

Cut-leaf Coneflower (Rudbeckia laciniata) Each cutleaf coneflower produces between two and 25 flower heads on a single stalk. The bottom of these nearly hairless stalks that can grow to be 10-feet tall are single, but they may branch nearer the top.

How many different types of black eyed susans are there?

The truth, however, is that there are over 40 different types of black-eyed susans.

Rudbeckia Plant History

These bright flowers are native to North America and have a rich history with Native Americans.

Cultivation

Call them black-eyed Susans, brown-eyed Susans, coneflowers, or you-name-it—these flowers are all a part of the Rudbeckia genus. To clear up some confusion, I’ll talk about three of the main types o f Rudbeckias you’ll commonly see sold at plant nurseries or markets in Fall or Spring.

Propagation

Depending on the species of Rudbeckia, plants can be propagated by seed or division.

When to Plant

Since Rudbeckias need a cold environment to germinate, planting them in the fall is best.

How to Grow

Once you have seedlings, plant them about a foot apart so they have room to flourish.

Harvesting

Performing the wiggle test is the best way to tell if your Rudbeckia is ready to harvest.

Varieties of Rudbeckia

As mentioned above, there are several species of Rudbeckia that are readily grown and cultivated in home and commercial gardens alike. I’ve listed a few of the most popular varieties for the three main species highlighted earlier in this article, but know that there are many to choose from!

How to propagate Rudbeckia?

Rudbeckia flowers are relatively easy to propagate and grow from seed. But, take care to not plant them too deep. Also, studies have shown that Black-Eyed Susan seeds should be cold stratified or winter-sown to achieve a high germination rate. The seeds from all Black-Eyed Susan need to go through a winter in order to achieve a high germinate rate. So, you will have to either winter-sow the seeds or stratify the in the refrigerator in order to get a high germination percentage. You can learn a few ways to cold stratify seeds by clicking here.

When do Rudbeckia seeds germinate?

Some Rudbeckia seeds germinating after a long winter (with too much water apparently).

What is the name of the plant with yellow petals and dark black centers?

Black-Eyed Susans belong to the genus Rudbeckia, which contains over 25 species of flowers. Most of these species will produce flowers with yellow petals and dark black centers (and very showy). In this guide I will show you how to germinate the seeds step by step.

What is the name of the flower that is underappreciated?

Fire Pink (Silene virginica) - Complete Grow & Care Guide. One of the most underappreciated native flowers has got to be Fire Pink. This compact wildflower can actually be used similarly to common small annuals in landscaping, as it is compact and blooms...

Can you plant Rudbeckia from seed?

Rudbeckia can be a little tricky to germinate from seed. This primarily arises from people being unfamiliar with, or not performing a cold stratification/winter sowing of Black-Eyed Susan Seeds. Also, there are some references out there that tell you to plant the seeds deep, when you should really only lightly plant them. Surface sowing to just under the surface of soil is the proper depth for planting Black-Eyed Susan Seeds. I’ve had the most success by planting them on the surface, and just raking them into the soil.

What is the name of the black eyed Susan?

There are several different flowers often called black-eyed Susan, but I have figured out that mine are probably the popular variety Rudbeckia fulgida 'Goldsturm'. It is sometimes also called the orange coneflower (although many people consider the only true coneflowers to be the members of the related genus Echinace a, ...

Is a black eyed Susan a daisy?

The "true" black-eyed Susan is the closely related Rudbeckia hirta, which is also sometimes called the ox-eye daisy; though it is not, of course, a daisy. The rudbeckias and echinaceas are both perennial members of the aster family, which also includes chrysanthemums, daisies, sunflowers, and of course true asters.

Do Rudbeckias spread?

Because the Rudbeckias are native plants of North America, some people will say I can not properly call them "invasive" here. Fine, but they certainly do spread! While they seed themselves, they spread more readily by runners that sneak along just below the surface of the earth, popping up new plants every couple of inches. These new plants are insidiously tiny above ground, hard to spot and harmless-looking at first. But they are rooted quite tenaciously and do not willingly let go of the earth. Before long, each one is firmly established and sending out new runners of its own.

Culture

Landscape Uses

Propagation & Division

Problems

Species & Cultivars

• Rudbeckia fulgidais a tried and true species that has large lance-shaped basal leaves and grows to 2–3 feet in height and 2 feet in width. This species typically flowers in mid- to late summer through mid-fall.

See more on hgic.clemson.edu

Other Related Species