Rudbeckia is one of the most famous plants that pleases us with its magnificent growth and color of flowers every year. Rudbeckia are large and beautiful plants, so it is impossible to pass by them indifferently. They are suitable both for bedding plants and for a vase, they are really widely used. However, before we plant rudbeckia in the garden, it is worth getting acquainted with its requirements, as well as the varieties of rudbeckia, which really are many.
Brilliant Rudbeckia 'Goldstrum' is a perennial that flowers until September. It has large flower baskets, up to 12 cm in diameter
Rudbeckia - characteristics
Rudbeckia(Rudbeckia) - this genus includes 30-40 species, native to North America, but only a few species of varying lifespans have migrated to our gardens.
Rudbeckies, or Echinacea , are winter-hardy annuals, biennials or herbaceous perennials. They have extremely vivid flower colors. The flowers are characteristic baskets with vividly colored lingual flowers as well as dark tubular flowers concentrated in the center of the flower (it is the tubular flowers that form the characteristic dark center of the flower). The flowers appear quite late, but they are very large and numerous. These plants grow up to 60-90 cm.
Growing rudbeckia
Plants belonging to the genusrudbeckiaare not demanding. They like sunny, open places, tolerate most permeable soils, do not dry out in summer. Tall plants should be staked as they may break when exposed to wind or heavy rain.
Note!All rudbeckia should be protected from snails!
Rudbeckies are honey plants, liked by bees and butterflies
Growing rudbeckiais not difficult. Perennials should be planted in early spring or late autumn. In order to prolong flowering, it is necessary to regularly remove the faded flowers. At the end of autumn, perennials should be cut low, about 15-20 cm above the ground. The advantage of growing rudbeckia is also easy reproduction, mainly from seeds. Currently, however, you can buy already grown specimens in nurseries, which significantly speeds up the cultivation of rudbeckia. Plant the plants permanently at intervals of 30-60 cm, depending on the species orrudbeckia varietyYou can also reproduce rudbeckia by dividing the clumps, the procedure is performed in the spring. Be careful not to damage the roots of the plant.
Interesting fact!If you cut rudbecks in a vase, it is worth immersing the ends of their shoots in boiling water for half a minute before putting them in the water.
Rudbeckia - species and varieties
Rudbeckies have become really popular due to their easy cultivation and beautiful end result, so breeders have obtained a lot of their species and varieties. Here are the most popular of them:
Rudbeckia purple Rudbeckia purpurea
Another name for this plant is Echinacea (syn. Echinacea purpurea). It is a tall plant with stiff stems, so it does not need to be staked. It has an unusual flower color for this kind because it is dark purple.Purple rudbeckiais a perennial with a wide range of uses, it can be planted in flower beds or cut into vases. It can be purchased in a container, already grown, or sown from seeds. We sow purple rudbeckia in May or June. Prefers sunny positions. It is very resistant to frost, as well as all attacks of pests and pathogens. It is worth knowing that purple rudbeckia is a honey plant.
Rudbeckia hairy Rudbeckia hirta
It has stiff and thick stems covered with rough hairs. Leaves 10 cm long, lanceolate, coarsely toothed and, like the stems, hairy. The flowers are golden yellow in color, they look very beautiful in flowerbeds. It grows up to 80 cm in height. It is available in many interesting varieties.
Rudbeckia hairy 'Goldilocks'
An annual plant, it is one of the most popular and beautiful varieties of rudbeckia. It has beautiful, golden flowers, up to 8 cm wide. It blooms from mid-summer to late fall. A single plant is 60 cm high and 30 cm wide.
Rudbeckia hairy 'Rustic Dwarfs'
Thisvariety of rudbeckiahas flowers of 15 cm!
Rudbeckia hairy 'Cat's Eye'
One of the newest varieties of rudbeckia, it has yellow flowers with a green center.
Rudbeckia hairy 'Toto' or 'Becky'
They are low rudbeckies, 25-40 cm, but with large flowers up to 10cm in diameter.
Rudbeckia hairy 'Sonora' and 'Marmalade'
These are varieties of hairy rudbeckia of medium height.
Rudbeckia bicolor Rudbeckia hirta var. pulcherrima
It is an annual plant, it grows up to 1 m in height. It is a cross of hairy rudbeckia, therefore the stems and leaves are hairy. The flowers are extremely beautiful, black inside, dark orange inside, yellow outside. It looks beautiful on discounts. The best sunny position, then it blooms more profusely. The seeds can be sown permanently in May. Two-color rudbeckia is an extremely decorative plant, and its cultivation is easy, so it is worth expanding your collection with this species.
Rudbeckia fulgida 'Goldstrum' Rudbeckia fulgida
It is a perennial. It blooms profusely and long, July-September. Flowers golden yellow, shoots branched. It creates a wide and compact clump. Brilliant Rudbeckia prefers a sunny position, with medium-moist soil, loamy and fertile.
Rudbeckia naga 'Plena' Rudbeckia laciniata
Very tall perennial, 160-200 cm. I am producing a cascade of beautiful, full and yellow flowers, VIII-IX. Due to its high growth, naked rudbeckia sometimes requires supports. Remember to supply with fertilizer. Attention! To make the shoots more stiff, cut them halfway up in mid-June. In the fall, we trim at the base. It is best to reproduce by dividing the clump in the spring. Prefers a sunny position.
Rudbeckia triloba Rudbeckia triloba
One-year, magnificently flowering Rudbeckia. Yellow-orange flowers with a black convex center, July-September. It grows up to 100-140 cm in height, therefore it sometimes requires support.
Katarzyna Matuszak
