Rudbeckia, gloriosa daisy
Big golden daisies with brown centres, many ringed in rust or mahogany. Handles heat and dry spells, and flowers until frost if you keep cutting.
Growing
- annual
- Full sun
- 2 to 4 weeks before last frost
- 5 to 7 weeks before last frost
- Not covered
- 14 to 21 days at 21°C (70°F)
- 30 to 46 cm (12 to 18 in)
- 61 to 91 cm (24 to 36 in)
- 30 to 61 cm (12 to 24 in)
- Benefits from support
- 90 to 100 days
A bigger, bolder garden form of black-eyed Susan. Most are gold with a dark brown centre, and many have a ring of rust or mahogany. It flowers from midsummer until frost and doesn't wilt in hot, dry weather. This seed was saved from my own plants. It's a strain, not a single variety, so expect both golds and ringed ones.
Sowing and starting
Start indoors 5 to 7 weeks before planting out. Press the seed onto the surface and don't cover it, since it needs light. Water from below or mist it. It takes 14 to 21 days at around 21°C (70°F), so be patient.
Slow to start, but the seedlings are tough and easy to handle. Grown as an annual.
Care
Full sun, 30 to 46 cm (12 to 18 in) apart, in average, well-drained soil. It handles poor soil, heat and drought once settled. Deadhead or keep cutting and it flowers until frost.
When to cut
Cut when the petals are open flat and the centre is still tight. Cones cut later are good for dried arrangements.
In the vase
When cutting a bouquet, strip any leaves that would sit under water. They turn the water murky fast. Change the water every few days for the longest lasting bouquet. As flowers fade, you can remove them and rearrange the remaining flowers.
Saving the seed
Leave the cones on the plant until they're dark and hard, then rub them apart over a bowl. Save from the plants you like best.