Rudbeckia subtomentosa 'Henry Eilers'
Henry Eilers sweet coneflower or sweet black-eyed Susan
Our friend Larry Lowman of Ridgecrest Nursery in Wynne, Arkansas graciously gave us this marvelous plant. It was collected from a railroad prairie remnant* in southern Illinois and named for the man who found it, Henry Eilers, a horticulturist and retired nurseryman. Basal leaves appear in early spring and flowering stalks begin their ascent in June, reaching five to six feet and full flower by August, often staying in bloom into September. 'Henry Eilers' has finely quilled flowers of true yellow, not gold, and is stunning in a mass planting. It has captivated many visitors who have seen it here and motivated them to ask us to grow it. The leaves of Rudbeckia subtomentosa are sweetly scented with a subtle vanilla fragrance. It is lovely with Joe-Pyes and grasses, and it blooms with the Hibiscus hybrids and makes a great companion for them as well. 'Henry Eilers' has undeniable potential as a cut flower with its unique appearance, sturdy straight stems and long vase life.
Height4-5 Feet |
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Spread2-3 Feet |
Bloom Color
YellowUSDA Hardiness Zone 5-7
Interesting Notes
* Prairie Remnants from Larry Loman
In this region, in many counties, the only remnant of any virgin, unplowed prairie that remains is along railroad tracks. When the railroads were originally built in the 1800's, if they were going over a natural prairie, all they had to do was lay down the wooden crossties, pack in bed fill, and lay the rails....the remaining right-of-way remained essentially undisturbed. In many locales, a road also was constructed parallel to new tracks, so that the few hundred feet of railroad right-of-way trapped between the tracks and the road remained unplowed to this day, and in many areas has reserved a remarkable diversity of prairie species. In most areas, accidental fires happen fairly regularly, which enhances the vigor of the prairie vegetation.
Rudbeckia subtomentosa is native from Michigan to Texas with the highest populations in Illinois, Missouri and Arkansas. For a full map of native range visit the USDA Plants Page
For more information on this plant and its introduction click here.
Growing and Maintenance Tips
Rudbeckia subtomentosa is a vigorous, but very manageable perennial that favors average to moist soils and full sun to part shade. It is quite tolerant of heat and humidity, but will not withstand long periods of drought.
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