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Herbaceous PerennialAnnual BiennialSynonym

Rudbeckia hirta 'Rustic'

black-eyed Susan [Rustic Dwarfs]

A mix of biennial or short-lived perennials usually grown as annuals, to around 50cm high, with oval-shaped, bristly green leaves. Daisy-like flowers, in shades of yellow, orange and red and with prominent dark brown cones, are borne on leafy, upright stems from late summer into autumn

Synonyms

Rudbeckia hirta 'Rustic'

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Ultimate height

0.1–0.5 metres

Time to ultimate height

1–2 years

Ultimate spread

0.1–0.5 metres

Clay

Loam

Moisture

Moist but well–drained

pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun
Partial shade

Aspect

South–facing or West–facing

Exposure

Exposed or Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

Botanical details

Family: Asteraceae
Native to GB / Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Bushy, Columnar upright
Genus: Rudbeckia may be annuals, biennials or rhizomatous herbaceous perennials, with simple or pinnately divided leaves and large daisy-like flower-heads with yellow or orange rays surrounding a prominent conical disk
Name status: Trade

How to grow

Cultivation

Best grown as a half-hardy annual. Grows well in moderately fertile, preferably heavy but well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade. See rudbeckia cultivation for more detailed advice

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown with gentle heat in spring. Light is needed for germination. Harden off before planting out

Suggested planting locations and garden types

City and courtyard gardens
Cottage and informal garden
Patio and container plants
Wildlife gardens
Cut flowers
Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Deadhead to remove spent flowers

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids, to leaf and bud eelworms, and to slugs on young growth

Diseases

May be susceptible to powdery mildews, especially on dry soils

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