| PRONUNCIATION |
rood-BECK-ee-uh |
| COMMON NAME |
Coneflower, Gloriosa Daisy, Black-Eyed Susan |
| SYNONYMS | |
| DERIVATION | named after Olaf Rudbeck, a Swedish botanist |
| FAMILY |
Compositae - Daisy |
| TYPE |
there are annual, biennial and perennial species |
| USES | cut flowers, containers, border filler, some good for mass plantings |
| FLOWER |
single or double, daisy-like heads of ray florets or petals, surrounding central cones or disk florets that produce seeds |
| COLOUR | varies from one species to another |
| FOLIAGE | basal leaves are oval to lance-shaped, some may be lobed, usually rough-surfaced or hairy
stem leaves are usually smaller than basal leaves |
| COLOUR | varies |
| HARDINESS | most perennial forms are hardy to Zone 3 |
| EXPOSURE | full sun generally preferred, tolerates light shade |
| SOIL | well-drained, moist, of only average fertility |
| WATER | during dry spells, drought-tolerant once established |
| HEIGHT | from dwarf forms to 9' giants |
| SPREAD | from 6"-24" depending on species or cultivar |
| BLOOM | generally from mid to late summer until autumn |
| STAKING | only required for taller species |
| DEADHEAD | a matter of preference; flowerheads can be left to ripen for the birds, for winter interest & for self-seeding |
| PROBLEMS | aphids, downy mildew, powdery mildew, rust are possible but occur rarely |
| AFTERCARE | if tall forms become floppy, cut them back close to the ground to encourage new growth |
| FALL CARE | cut to ground |
| PROPAGATION | division autumn or spring every 2-3 years;spring divisions will bloom same year, fall divisions the following year
seed: see below
|
| SEED CULTURE |
sow seed indoors March 1 at 70 deg.F/21 degC; germination occurs in 20 days; sow outdoors in May |
| FERTILIZER | not necessary |
| MULCH | |
| FORMS |
Rudbeckia fulgida: Orange Coneflower, 30-36", orange-yellow
var. sullivanti 'Goldsturm' - compact, 18-24"x18"
Rudbeckia hirta: Gloriosa Daisy, biennial or self-seeding annual, 18-36"x12"
'Goldilocks' - 14-24", double or semi-double bright golden yellow flowers
'Irish Eyes' - 30", single yellow flower, green eyes
'Marmalade' - 24-30"x24", large golden-orange blooms
'Rustic Dwarfs' - compact, colours of yellow, bronze, mahogany, orange
Rudbeckia laciniata: Ragged Coneflower, Green-Headed Coneflower, 3-6', yellow flowers with green centres
'Gold Drop' - 24-30"x14", double soft yellow, ball-shaped blooms
'Golden Glow' - old favourite, 3-5', double flowers
'Goldquelle' - Gold Fountain Coneflower, 36"x24", compact, double chrome-yellow flowers
Rudbeckia maxima: Giant Coneflower, 6-7'x2', Zone 6 hardy, orange-yellow, grey-green foliage
Rudbeckia nitida: Shining Coneflower, similar to R. laciniata but with unlobed oval leaves
'Herbstsonne' - Autumn Sun Coneflower, 5-8'x3'
Rudbeckia purpurea: Purple Coneflower
see Echinacea purpurea
|
| OFF-SITE IMAGES |
Numerous Rudbeckia images and helpful growing information about this genus can be found at the
National Garden Bureau Inc. site. |
| COMPANION PLANTS | PLANT PARTNERSHIPS |
DAYLILIES