Rudbeckia laciniata 'Herbstsonne' - Autumn Sun Black-Eyed Susan

This vigorous, variety produces large, yellow daisies with bright green eyes that mature to brown; deadhead for re-blooming; drought and heat tolerant once established; wonderful along borders or in containers;

Height: Plant Height: 4 feet. Sun: full sun. Hardiness zone: 2b.

Ornamental features

Herbstsonne Coneflower has masses of beautiful yellow daisy flowers with light green eyes and gold anthers at the ends of the stems from early summer to early fall, which are most effective when planted in groupings. The flowers are excellent for cutting. Its serrated pointy leaves remain dark green in color throughout the season.

Landscape

Herbstsonne Coneflower is an herbaceous perennial with an upright spreading habit of growth. Its relatively coarse texture can be used to stand it apart from other garden plants with finer foliage.

This is a relatively low maintenance plant, and should be cut back in late fall in preparation for winter. It is a good choice for attracting bees and butterflies to your yard, but is not particularly attractive to deer who tend to leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Recommended for: Mass Planting, Hedges/Screening, General Garden Use, Container Planting.

Planting and growing

Herbstsonne Coneflower will grow to be about 4 feet tall at maturity extending to 6 feet tall with the flowers, with a spread of 4 feet. When grown in masses or used as a bedding plant, individual plants should be spaced approximately 3 feet apart. The flower stalks can be weak and so it may require staking in exposed sites or excessively rich soils. It grows at a fast rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 15 years. As an herbaceous perennial, this plant will usually die back to the crown each winter, and will regrow from the base each spring. Be careful not to disturb the crown in late winter when it may not be readily seen!

This plant should only be grown in full sunlight. It prefers to grow in average to moist conditions, and shouldn't be allowed to dry out. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. This particular variety is an interspecific hybrid. It can be propagated by division; however, as a cultivated variety, be aware that it may be subject to certain restrictions or prohibitions on propagation.

Photo courtesy of NetPS Plant Finder.