Deam's Coneflower / Black-Eyed Susan

Rudbeckia fulgida deamii

There are few flowers to gladden the heart more than the cheery Rudbeckia fulgida deamii, also known as Deam's coneflower or Black-eyed Susan. If you could have just one late summer flowering herbaceous perennial - this should at least be in your top three.

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Daisy-like flowers, reaching 7cm wide, consist of bright yellow petals surrounding a prominent central black 'cone' are produced in profusion from August until October, giving the late summer and autumn borders a welcome boost.

Rudbeckia deamii is a relatively compact grower, reaching just 60cm, but despite its lack of size it holds a Royal Horticultural Society Award of Garden Merit. This is because this is a bombproof, hardy, well-behaved plant that just flowers its socks off. It will do so for you.

Great In Your Garden...

Rudbeckia Deamii is a must for informal planting schemes alongside grasses and other perennials like Achilleas and Verbena bonariensis Lollipop. Of course, coneflowers also look terrific in more traditional herbaceous borders - in large drifts. They're easy to grow in moderately fertile soil that is moist, well-drained but doesn't dry out - ideal for improved clay in sun or light shade.

Their compact size makes them suitable for containers in courtyard gardens or on the patio - try them with contrasting bright pink Echinacea for a late summer burst of colour. Bees and butterflies love them, so they're ideal for a wildlife garden to extend the range of pollen and nectar into autumn.

Features

• Colour: Bright yellow petals with black centres.
• Flowering: August to October.
• Foliage: Dark green, hairy leaves.
• Height: 60cm.
• Spread: 45cm.
• Spacing: 45cm.
• Position: Sun or partial shade.
• Soil: Any, moist, well drained soil.
• Royal Horticultural Society Award of Garden Merit.

Did You Know...

Rudbeckia fulgida was named in honour of botanist Carl Linnaeus's mentor, Olaus Rudbeck and his son Olof Rudbeck, both professors of botany at Uppsala, Sweden. Linnaeus formalised the modern way of naming organisms, with a generic name followed by a specific name in Latin. Fulgida means ‘flashing' or 'glowing'.

Plant in sun or light shade in moist but well-drained soil. Add organic matter and space 45cm apart. Water well until established and during dry spells. Suitable for containers. Feed with a general fertiliser in spring. Protect young growth against slugs. Deadhead. Divide in spring or autumn. Support with twiggy branches or brushwood before flowers appear.