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Rudbeckia fulgida var. fulgida (orange coneflower)

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Technical sheet - Rudbeckia fulgida
Species Distribution Map: Click to enlarge
Map Color Key © 2013 BONAP

Rudbeckia fulgida var. fulgida

orange coneflower or black-eyed Susan

Shiny, deep green foliage. Smaller and finer than Rudbeckia 'Goldsturm' with 10 weeks of flowers from July into October. Six weeks after 'Goldsturm' is brown, this plant is at its peak! Excellent cut flower. Provides late summer nectar for butterflies and seeds in the winter for birds. Beautiful and versatile!

SIZE
Rudbeckia fulgida var. fulgida LP50 - 50 per flat Availability
Rudbeckia fulgida var. fulgida - 72 per flat Availability
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Height

24-30 Inches

Spread

1-2 Feet

Spacing

12-18 Inches

Bloom Color

Yellow

USDA Hardiness Zone 5-7

orange coneflower Interesting Notes

Rudbeckia fulgida var fulgida blooms later than most other Rudbeckia which can be the trick when designing a garden. Growing 24-30” and 24 wide, R. fulgida var fulgida has shiny, deep green foliage and which is smaller and finer than Rudbeckia 'Goldsturm' with 10 weeks of flowers from July into October. It even blooms later than variety deamii helping differentiate between the three R. fulgida varieties. Six weeks after 'Goldsturm' is brown, this plant is at its peak! Lovely along a sunny garden path or near a seating area, black-eyed Susan always brings cheer to any location.

Rudbeckia fulgida grows best in dry to medium soil moisture in rich to average soil organic levels in full sun. Traditionally, this widespread native perennial is found from New Jersey to Indiana to Florida to Texas, preferring open woods, meadows, and pastures to roam. It is a trouble-free plant and the dense basal foliage provides an impenetrable herbaceous layer to suppress weeds. When placed in a good location, black-eyed Susan happily self-sows or spreads by creeping rhizomes. Variety fulgida naturally can be found in the eastern United States from New York to Florida to Illinois where it resides in moist woods, meadows, savannas, and swamps. It is adaptable to a wide variety of soil conditions but is most liked for its ability to tolerate hot, humid summers and some drought. For best display, deadhead flowers to prolong blooming season.

Not only is Rudbeckia beautiful en masse, it makes a wonderful and long lasting cut flower (which is a great way to prolong the bloom by deadheading). The coneflowers provide seeds in the winter for birds and nectar for butterflies in the summer. This plant is striking and versatile, outstanding in mass plantings as well as perennial borders, meadows and prairie gardens.

Rudbeckia fulgida var. fulgida Growing and Maintenance Tips

Grow in full sun and well-drained, average to dry soil moisture. Drought tolerant once established.

Good Substitutions

Deam's coneflower Rudbeckia fulgida var. deamii
orange coneflower Rudbeckia fulgida var. sullivantii 'Little Goldstar'
orange coneflower Rudbeckia fulgida 'Goldsturm'
orange coneflower Rudbeckia fulgida var. fulgida

Key Characteristics & Attributes

Full Sun
Full Sun
Part Sun
Part Sun
Pollinator-friendly
Pollinator-friendly
Deer Resistant
Deer Resistant
Hummingbird-friendly
Hummingbird-friendly
Songbird-friendly
Songbird-friendly
Drought Tolerant
Drought Tolerant
Cut Flower
Cut Flower
Summer
Summer

Additional Information

Soil Moisture Needs
Average
Dry
Green Infrastructure
Erosion Control
Meadow/Prairie
Wetland Indicator Status
Falcutative (FAC)
Plug Type
Horticultural Plug
Landscape Plug™
Attributes
Native to North America
Clay Tolerance
Season of Interest (Flowering)
Late Summer
Fall
Propagation Type
Seed cultivar