Rudbeckia: how to grow and care for rudbeckia

Vibrant rudbeckias bring bold colour to the garden in late summer and autumn. Here’s how to grow them, and the best varieties to choose

By Veronica Peerless

Published: Thursday, 02 March 2023 at 12:00 am

Rudbeckias, also known as black-eyed Susan, are much loved for their exuberant flowers that bring a bold splash of colour to the garden from August to October.

The most common rudbeckias, variants of Rudbeckia fulgida, are perennial, with mostly bright yellow petals and a distinctive dark central cone. They range in height from around 60cm to 2m tall, depending on the variety. Rudbeckias derived from Rudbeckia hirta often have have russet, dark-red or brown flowers and are shorter. They are usually grown as half-hardy annuals from seed, but will survive mild winters, flowering in their second and even third year.

Rudbeckias are particularly well suited to prairie-style and naturalistic plantings, alongside other plants that peak in late summer and autumn, such as echinacea, persicaria, asters and ornamental grasses. They also make excellent cut flowers.

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© Jason Ingram

How to grow rudbeckia

Where to grow rudbeckia

Rudbeckias do best in full sun or dappled shade, but will not do well in poor or very dry soils. Grow them with other tall, upright perennials so that they are naturally supported by them.

When to sow rudbeckia

Rudbeckia hirta cultivars can be raised as half-hardy annuals, sown under glass in late March or early April and planted out in their final positions in late May/early June. They can also be sown direct in their flowering positions in spring. Perennial rudbeckias can be sown in spring, although germination may be erratic.

When to cut back rudbeckia

Rudbeckia fulgida cultivars have attractive seedheads, so can be left standing in the garden over winter, then cut back in February. Otherwise, cut down after flowering in autumn.