Botanical/Latin
Rudbeckia
Pronunciation
Rud-bek-ee-ah
Common Name
Black Eyed Susan
Hardiness zone range
3 - 9
General Comments
Rugged, dependable, native North
American perennials that have bold heads of large
daisy-like flowers with prominent central cones,
carried on strong, stiff stems above leafy clumps,
from mid summer into autumn. They are vigorous,
easy to grow plants, that are seldom troubled by
any serious pests or diseases. These factors
combine to take Rudbeckia right to the top of the
pops when compiling a list of the most reliable
garden plants.
Uses
Great in beds and borders or in
island beds, where the big, bright flowers in
shades of yellow and gold give a dazzling display.
They can be placed in small groups, or even as
individual specimens among other perennials,
shrubs, or conifers.
The shorter types are
wonderful when used en masse; in bold groupings,
they make a spectacular show which is colorful,
long lasting, and low maintenance.
Most
have a high degree of heat and drought tolerance.
They are deer resistant, attract butterflies when
in flower, and the seed heads provide a valuable
source of food for over-wintering birds. They make
excellent cut flowers; the strong stems
prominently display the blooms and make them
easy to arrange. They should be cut early in the
morning when the first flowers are beginning to
open, and conditioned by standing in deep water
for a few hours in a cool place before
arranging.
Light Preference
Full sun, with a tolerance for partial shade.
Culture
Well known for their ease of
culture, they will grow in all reasonably fertile
soils except wet, soggy ones. They thrive best in
soils that are well drained, but have a capacity
to retain moisture in dry weather, so it is worth
incorporating extra organic matter (compost, peat,
etc.) at planting time, and then mulching the beds
upon completion. They are strong growers, and
when the clumps begin to become congested (after
about 3 years), it is a good idea to lift and
divide them. This helps to keep them strong and
vigorous. Light dressings with a well balanced
fertilizer applied in early spring also helps to
keep them lush and healthy.
Background
There are around 25-30 species
of Rudbeckias, all native to N. America.
The botanical name was given to them by Linnaeus
(the father of modern taxonomy), who named them
in honor of his teacher, Professor Olaf
Rudbeck.
Several of the species have been
cultivated and hybridized for centuries. The
earliest records of cultivation date back to John
Tradescant the elder, an English naturalist and
collector, who subscribed to the Virginia Company.
He had plants sent to him, which he then
cultivated and entered in his garden list of 1634.
The tall growing Rudbeckia lacinata was on the
list of forty plants he grew.
It is not
cultivated much today, but it is thought to be one
of the parents of a fine German cultivar called R.
`Autumn Sun' (Herbstonne).
Another
excellent cultivar, R. `Goldsturm', also has
German connections. It was propagated and
introduced in 1949 by the famous German
nurseryman and plant breeder, Karl Foerster. One
of his employees, Heinrich Hagemann, noticed it
growing in a nursery in the Czech Republic in
1937. Recognizing that it was a superior form, he
convinced Foerster to include it in his
introduction program. Foerster insisted on high
standards. Before he would consent to introduce
them, new plants had to be fully hardy, pest and
disease resistant, non-invasive, and easy to
maintain.
Rudbeckia `Goldsturm' (meaning
"Gold storm") has all these qualities in
abundance. It is not surprising that it has become
one of the most popular and highly acclaimed
perennials, named Perennial Plant of the Year in
1999.
Splendor Suggestions
If you enjoy growing your own cut flowers, set aside an area as a cutting garden and plant some Rudbeckias. They will reward you with many bunches of long lasting, big, golden daisies for years and years.
Companion Plants
They blend nicely with the rich,
coppery-bronze tones of Heleniums and the erect,
architectural shape of grasses like Miscanthus,
Pennisetums, or Phalaris.
Hemerocallis (Daylilies) give similar vertical
emphasis, but with colorful flowers; try them with
the warm tones of H. `Magic Mandarin', Sombrero
Way', or `Lusty Leyland'. Perovskia, the white
Aster 'Snow Flurry' and Phlox `David' and the
pale, lemony yellow of Coreopsis `Moonbeam' also
make good planting partners.