Orange coneflower
Rudbeckia fulgida · Asteraceae
📷 Jerzy Opioła (Poland) · CC BY-SA 3.0
The gardener's calendar
Orange coneflower is in full bloom: enjoy it, watch watering in hot weather and let spent flowers feed pollinators before pruning.
ID card
- Family
- Asteraceae (Aster family)
- Type
- Herbaceous perennial
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Flowering
- July to October
- Adult height
- 60 to 80 cm
- Hardiness
- Very hardy (-20°C)
- Growth
- Fast
- Origin
- North America
✓ Taxonomy verifiedSource: AI estimate · hardiness: reliability high.
Expert tips
The key tip
Rudbeckia flowers all the longer when you remove the faded blooms. Poor to average soil is enough; whatever you do, don't over-fertilize or it'll weaken.
The common mistake
Over-fertilizing: the plant becomes leggy, flops over under its own weight, and attracts fungal diseases.
The pro's trick
Leave the last flowers on in September-October for pollinating insects and birds in autumn.
Seasonal watch
September-October: if the foliage blackens at the base, that's powdery mildew in humid climates; improve air circulation and prune the lower leaves.
Care
Exposure
Rudbeckia loves direct light and needs at least 6 hours of sun per day to bloom generously. Plant it in full sun to get maximum flowering and vibrant colors. Partial shade would slow down blooming and make the plant less compact.
Watering
Water regularly for the first three weeks after planting to promote root establishment. Once established, this plant tolerates drought very well and only needs watering during prolonged periods without rain. Avoid excess water, which promotes fungal diseases.
Soil
Ordinary, well-drained and undemanding soil works perfectly. Rudbeckia adapts to poor and even rocky soil. Lightly enrich the soil with compost when planting, but no special preparation is essential.
Fertilizing
An application of compost or balanced fertilizer in spring is more than enough. A well-established plant in ordinary soil generally doesn't need supplemental fertilizer. Excess nitrogen can promote foliage at the expense of flowers.
Pruning and maintenance
Cut back stems to 10-15 cm from the ground in late fall or early spring. You can also remove spent flowers regularly to extend the flowering period. At the end of the season, leave a few flower heads for winter interest and self-seeding.
Diseases and pests
This plant is very healthy and rarely affected by diseases. Powdery mildew may appear in late summer on damp foliage; improve air circulation by spacing plants further apart. Pests are exceptional and usually harmless on a well-established plant.
Did you know?
Native to North American prairies, rudbeckia was named after Swedish botanist Olof Rudbeck (17th century) in his honor. Its nickname 'Black-eyed Susan' comes from its bright yellow flowers with a very dark center that resemble an eye. In Europe, it has naturalized in wildflower gardens and remains one of the easiest and most generous perennials.
Where to buy it
Plant in spring or early autumn, avoiding spells of intense heat. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, April, May, September.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
- SunflowerHelianthus annuus
- YarrowAchillea millefolium
- Ox-eye daisyLeucanthemum vulgare
- SneezewortAchillea ptarmica
- Canadian goldenrodSolidago canadensis
- WormwoodArtemisia absinthium
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.