Rudbeckia fulgida sullivantii “Goldsturm”

Black-Eyed Susan,  Brown-Eyed Susan
Rudbeckia fulgida sullivantii “Goldsturm”
Type: Perennial
Exposure: Sun / Part Shade
Water: Regular

Like Tuesday’s plant, Liatris, this beautiful but tough perennial is a North American native. Big, warm, daisy-shaped flowers that are popular with florists bloom from mid-summer into autumn. They are especially stunning when planted in large groups (we call these drifts) and combine well with ornamental grasses as well as other perennials. I like Better Homes and Gardens’ description of a group of these: “a pool of sunshine.” The foliage is dark green, lance-shaped and hairy, and forms a clump 2 ft (60cm) wide. Reaching 24-30in (60-75cm) high, the flowers themselves are 3in (7.5cm) across with a dark brown or black rounded cone surrounded by several orangey-gold petals. They are said to attract birds and butterflies.

Fun Fact! Black Eyed Susan is the state flower of Maryland, and was used by Native peoples for a variety of different medicines.

Cheers,

John