Summer rudbeckia
Stylish large flowers
Summer rudbeckia has magnificent flowers that are a real eye-catcher in bouquets and beds. The flowers’ warm shades of yellow, golden brown and orange are contrasted by a dark-coloured centre. Summer rudbeckia tolerates little frost and keeps well in the country until well into autumn.
North American with a Swedish name
There are many varieties of Rudbeckia. Some varieties are perennials, others are annuals. The summer rudbeckia is an annual and grows to a height of 20-70 cm. The lower varieties make good border plants, in pots and on the balcony. The taller ones make great background plants in a mixed bed. However you choose to grow summer rudbeckia, it is a sure bet to brighten up the garden with colour in late summer and autumn.
The Rudbeckia genus originates from North America. There, the indigenous people used the whole plant abundantly. Rudbeckia was believed to help with various ailments – such as snakebites, colds, headaches, earaches and digestive problems. The flowers and leaves were used in teas and poultices and placed in amulets to give strength and protection.
The name Rudbeckia comes from our Swedish Olof Rudbeck the Younger – a botanically interested Uppsala professor who was acquainted with Carl Linnaeus.
Sow summer rudbeckia
Propagate summer rudbeckia indoors in March-April. It is also possible to sow even earlier if you have a plant lamp for the seedlings before the spring sun comes out. The seeds are light-growing and should only be covered with a thin layer of soil. We usually sow the seeds one by one in plug trays or small pots. Cover the seed with a transparent lid or plastic with air holes. It is particularly important to keep the soil moist when the seeds are on the surface. Use a spray bottle, as initially only the top layer of soil needs moisture.
The seeds germinate well at room temperature or warmer. Once the first green leaves have appeared, the growing container can be placed in a slightly cooler location.
Planting out summer rudbeckia
Plant out summer rudbeckia when the risk of frost is over. Harden off the plants by keeping them outdoors for longer and longer periods over a few days. When hardening off, use fibre cloth to protect against wind, cold and strong sun.
Summer rudbeckia thrives best in a bright location, but can be planted in both sun and shade. Choose a site that is well-drained. Rudbeckia does not like to stand in excessively wet soil.
Keep a distance of about 25 cm between the plants. Co-plant with plants that flower in early summer to create a bed where something is in bloom throughout the season. Or use only summer rudbeckia in one part of the garden, perhaps in mixed colours. It’s a plant that’s hard to get enough of.
Caring for summer rudbeckia
Water the plants regularly and add nutrients a couple of times during the summer. The taller varieties of summer rudbeckia may need a little support once they’ve established themselves in the country. Flowering starts in June-July and continues well into autumn. Summer rudbeckia has a bushy growth habit and branches naturally. It therefore fills out the border nicely.
Extend the flowering period by pinching off wilted flowers from the stems and picking lovely bouquets. The plant will then focus on producing more flowers instead of seed pods.
Wild and sumptuous autumn bouquet
As a cut flower, summer rudbeckia exudes autumnal opulence. The flowers are large, colourful and a little wild. The sturdy stems make summer rudbeckia extra durable in bouquets. Just pick and enjoy. Let summer rudbeckia shine on its own or arrange the flowers together with, for example, zinnias, sunflowers and blueberry rice.
Author: Johanna Damm
Fact-checked by Erik Hoekstra
Last updated 2022-10-14