Rudbeckia (Black-Eyed Susan)
at Digging Dog

Including Rudbeckia triloba, Rudbeckia paniculata, & Rudbeckia occidentalis

Rudbeckia

Black-Eyed Susan

Named by Linnaeus in honor of his teacher Olaf Rudbeck, this North American genus includes 25 to 30 species, many of them famous summer, especially late season, bloomers. These selections are easy to grow, make fine cut flowers, and will brighten any border or naturalized meadow. Offering interest also in the late fall and winter, they combine well with Aster, Eupatorium, and grasses.

Rudbeckia fulgida ‘Swiss Gold’ 

Black-Eyed Susan

You probably know ‘Swiss Gold’ as Black-Eyed Susan, those robust, bright orange-yellow American daisies with the dark centers. As charming in seed as it is in flower, its abundant chocolate-brown seed heads last until Thanksgiving. Strong stems bear flowers almost 3 ft. high without staking; foliage is dark green and hirsute.

Set a meadow ablaze with a large drift. Effective with Eupatorium ‘Gateway’, Aster ‘Coombe Fishacre’ and Deschampsia ‘Goldgehänge’ for texture.

Blooms August–October.

Size: 2-1/2' high x 0" & spreading; hardy to zone 4.

Rudbeckia fulgida Swiss Gold (P-1399)
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Rudbeckia fulgida speciosa (Newmanii) 

Compact Black-Eyed Susan

Somewhat wilder looking than most of the well-known cultivars, this species holds bright orange-yellow flowers with densely clustered petals on strong, wiry stems. In our garden, its open habit is backed by Persicaria ‘Summer Dance’.

Blooms late July–September.

Size: 2' high x 2' wide; hardy to zone 4.

Rudbeckia fulgida speciosa (Newmanii) (P-0552)
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Rudbeckia occidentalis ‘Green Wizard’ 

If you appreciate the curious, the unusual, the truly unique, then allow this novelty to work some magic in your garden. From a leafy green basal clump appear 3 to 5 in. wide flowers on sturdy stalks, each featuring a huge central chocolate brown boss encompassed by approximately ten large and stiff well-spaced bright green sepals.

Unparalleled as a cut flower fresh or dried, florists, gardeners and birds seek out these extraordinary blooms that first form an intriguing golden ring of pollen around their striking cones. Quick to establish and undemanding, this attention grabber guarantees a flashy display of neon color when paired with Kniphofia linearifolia and Salvia ‘Limelight’.

Blooms July–September.

Size: 3'–5' high x 2-1/2' wide; hardy to zone 4.

Rudbeckia occidentalis Green Wizard (P-1294)
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Rudbeckia paniculata 

Languid petals in lemon yellow shades lazily encircle prominent beehivelike, chartreuse cones during the idle days of summer. With rough surfaces and fuzzy undersides, the broad and deeply clefted green leaves attire sturdy clumping stems in an airy, opposite fashion. This Rudbeckia makes a sunny neighbor for Aster asperulus above our stone wall.

Blooms July–August.

Size: 3'–4' high x 2' wide; hardy to zone 4.

Rudbeckia paniculata (P-1295)
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Rudbeckia subtomentosa 

Sweet Coneflower

A Midwestern prairie girl that delivers outstanding flower power along with unwavering fortitude, this taller Black-Eyed Susan cousin is named for her anise-scented daisies. Radiant yellow petals surround purple-brown domed centers creating a buoyant sea of color all summer long. Perfectly branched for bouquets, the sturdy, straight-backed stems host toothed, deep green lush-looking leaves sporting downy undersides.

Blooms August–September.

Size: 4' high x 2' wide; hardy to zone 3.

Rudbeckia subtomentosa (P-1398)
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Rudbeckia triloba 

Three-Lobed Coneflower

A summertime show stopper, this floriferous Rudbeckia is a denizen of the Great Plains. At its base, the larger leaves are trilobed, forming a handsome bushy mass that gives way to more narrow upper leaves and openly branched, flowering stems.

Completely covered in glorious golden yellow petals circling jet black centers that fade to brown, Rudbeckia triloba is a vivacious addition to the border with companions such as Aconitum ‘Arendsii’ and Pennisetum ‘Moudry’. Not as long-lived as other Rudbeckias, Three-Lobed Coneflower eventually wears itself out, but easily reseeds.

Blooms August–October.

Size: 5'–6' high x 3'–4' wide; hardy to zone 5.

Rudbeckia triloba (P-1147)
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