Rudbeckia fulgida has several common names; Black-eyed Susan, Orange Coneflower, Brilliant Coneflower and Eastern Coneflower. It bears large, yellow, daisy-like flowers with a black-brown centre cone from August through to October and they can grow up to 5in (12cm) across. During late spring and summer, its dark green foliage provides an effective backdrop for earlier flowering plants.

This is a plant that is naturally at home in moist, though well-drained meadows. The flowers will last longer if the soil retains moisture, so add some organic matter to soils that have a tendency to dry out in the summer. For the best production of flowers, grow in a sunny position, although light shade will be tolerated.

The orange coneflower is fully hardy, but prefers a sheltered spot in gardens exposed to the wind, where a shorter variety could be grown or the plants staked. A lightweight mulch of heather or bracken can be used in periods of prolonged cold over the winter.

The flowers are long lasting when cut. After flowering, remove the dead heads, unless you are going to collect the seed. Plants should be divided every four to five years. Rudbeckia fulgida can become invasive when grown in good soil, so root pruning in spring is recommended to keep it in check.

Growing Requirements

Soil
Rudbeckia fulgida will thrive in any type of soil but well-rotted organic matter should be added to the site before planting.

Size
Plants will grow to around 3ft (1m) high and spread about 2ft (60cm) depending on which cultivar is chosen.
Propagation
The plants may be propagated by division in spring. but can also be grown from seed. Sow the seed into a prepared seedbed during March/April. An early sowing should produce flowers in the first year.

Family: Asteraceae
Genus: Rudbeckia