Rudbeckia fulgida 'City Garden'

Overall plant
Common Name: black-eyed Susan 
Type: Herbaceous perennial
Family: Asteraceae
Zone: 3 to 8
Height: 0.75 to 1.00 feet
Spread: 0.75 to 1.50 feet
Bloom Time: July to September
Bloom Description: Yellow-orange rays with dark brown cone
Sun: Full sun
Water: Dry to medium
Maintenance: Low
Suggested Use: Naturalize, Rain Garden
Flower: Showy, Good Cut, Good Dried
Attracts: Birds, Butterflies
Tolerate: Deer, Drought, Clay Soil, Air Pollution

Culture

Easily grown in dry to medium, organically rich to average, well-drained soils in full sun. Best bloom occurs in full sun, although plants will tolerate some light shade. Plants prefer consistent moisture throughout the growing season, with some tolerance for drought once established. Tolerant of a wide range of growing conditions including dry soil, clay soil, and urban environments. Good air circulation is appreciated. Deadhead spent flowers to encourage additional bloom. Plants slowly spread in the garden by rhizomes.

Noteworthy Characteristics

Rudbeckia fulgida is a herbaceous perennial native to the eastern United States which occurs in both dry and moist soils in open woods, glades and thickets. An upright, rhizomatous, clump-forming, free-blooming coneflower which typically grows to 3' tall, often forming colonies in the wild. Features daisy-like flowers (to 2.5" across) with yellow rays and brownish-purple center disks. Prolific bloom production over a long mid-summer to fall bloom period. Oblong to lanceolate, medium green foliage. Good cut flower. The flowers are attractive to butterflies and other insect pollinators. Birds eat the seeds.

Genus name honors Olof Rudbeck (1630-1702) Swedish botanist and founder of the Uppsala Botanic Garden in Sweden where Carl Linnaeus was professor of botany.

The specific epithet fulgida means "shining" or "glistening".

‘City Garden’ is a compact black-eyed Susan that typically grows to only 12" tall on stiff, upright stems clad with hairy, oblong to lanceolate, dark green leaves. It is often described as being a shortened version of the popular Rudbeckia fulgida var. sullivantii ‘Goldsturm’ which typically grows to 24" tall. Compact size makes 'City Garden' a good candidate for placement in small garden areas or, as the cultivar name suggests, a city garden. Daisy-like flowers (2.5” diameter) with bright yellow-orange rays and dome-shaped, dark brown cones bloom singly atop strong stems from July to September.

Problems

No serious insect or disease problems. Deer tend to avoid this plant.

Uses

Floriferous compact summer bloomer for borders, cottage gardens, city gardens, foundations or meadows. Groups or mass plantings. Containers. Good cut flower.