Growing Rudbeckia flowers: A complete guide

Rudbeckias have become one of our most popular garden plants in recent years, and it’s not surprising – bushy plants produce masses of colourful flowers with a long flowering period from July to October.

Rudbeckias are characterised by their colourful daisy-like flowers surrounding a prominent conical disk. They can be annuals, biennials or herbaceous perennials, the annuals grown as half-hardy annuals, sown indoors in warmth. The annual varieties may survive from year to year if left in the garden, but flowering may be reduced in subsequent years.

Although yellow is the prominent colour, in recent years numerous red and orange-flowered varieties have been produced.

How to grow rudbeckias

Cultivating rudbeckias

Rudbeckias grow perfectly in positions in either full sun or light shade. They need a fertile soil enriched with lots of organic matter, which holds plenty of moisture in spring and summer, doesn't dry out or become waterlogged.

Rudbeckia varieties

Annuals

• Rudbeckia hirta Cappuccino Bronze petals bleed into yellow at their tips.
• Rudbeckia hirta Cherry Brandy Cherry-red flowers.
• Rudbeckia hirta Prairie Sun Orange petals radiating back to lemon yellow with green central cone.
• Rudbeckia hirta Rustic Dwarfs Shorter variety with a mix of flowers from yellow to rich mahogany.
• Rudbeckia hirta Toto Dwarf, compact plants with golden-yellow blooms.

Perennials

• Rudbeckia fulgida var. sullivantii Goldsturm Deep yellow petals with an orange tint surrounding a purple-brown centre.
• Rudbeckia laciniata Goldquelle Bright lemon-yellow, double flowers.
• Rudbeckia laciniata Herbstsonne Golden, drooping petals surrounding a prominent pale green conical centre.

Sowing rudbeckias

Annuals

Sow rudbeckia seeds from February to April in pots or trays of moist seed sowing compost at a temperature of 20-25C (68-77F).

Transplant seedlings when large enough to handle into 7.5-10cm (3-4in) pots. Harden off by growing on in cooler conditions for 10-15 days before planting out after all risk of frost, 30cm (12in) apart.

Perennials

Sow rudbeckia seeds from February to July in trays or pots of good seed compost at a temperature of 65-70F (18-20C).

Transplant seedlings when large enough to handle into 7.5-10cm (3-4in) pots. Harden off early-sown plants by growing on in cooler conditions for 10-15 days before planting out after all risk of frost, 60-90cm (2-3ft) apart.

Planting rudbeckias

You can buy young rudbeckia plants from garden centres, nurseries or mail order suppliers. Perennial varieties can be planted at any time of year, although autumn or spring are the best times.

Dig over the planting area, incorporating lots of organic matter such as compost, especially if the soil is heavy clay or light, well-drained sandy soil. Dig a good sized hole big enough to easily accommodate the rootball.

Place the rootball in the planting hole and adjust the planting depth so that the crown of leaves is at soil level. Mix in more organic matter with the excavated soil and fill in the planting hole. Apply a general granular plant food over the soil around the plants and water in well. Then add a 5-7.5cm (2-3in) thick mulch of organic matter over the soil around the plants.

Where to plant rudbeckia flowers

Flower borders and beds, patios, containers, city and courtyard gardens, cottage and informal gardens, cut flower garden.

How to care for rudbeckias

Annuals

Water rudbeckia plants whenever necessary to keep the soil or compost moist during spring, summer and early autumn, as this will prolong flowering. Always try to water the soil or compost, rather than over the foliage.

Apply a liquid plant food every couple of weeks in the growing season to encourage more, bigger and better flowers.

Deadhead faded flowers regularly to encourage more blooms to be produced.

Perennials

Apply a granular general plant food around the rudbeckia plant in spring.

Apply a layer of compost or mulch around the plants in spring to retain soil moisture and control weeds.

Water plants whenever necessary to keep the soil or compost moist during spring, summer and early autumn, as this will prolong flowering. Always try to water the soil or compost, rather than over the foliage.

Feeding with a liquid plant food every couple of weeks in the growing season will also encourage more, bigger and better flowers.

Plants are compact and bushy and rarely need staking.

Pruning rudbeckia

Wherever possible, deadhead plants by cutting back faded flowers to encourage further flushes of flowers. In autumn, cut down all growth to ground level after it has died back.

Divide overcrowded plants every 3 to 4 years as new growth begins in spring, lifting the plants and dividing them into smaller clumps.