Best Fall Flowers: We’re Rooting for Rudbeckias!
Are you looking for some pollinator-friendly and easy-to-grow flowers? Do you want flowers that will bring vibrant color to your Ohio garden during the late summer and into fall? If so, then look no further than the robust rudbeckia.
What are Rudbeckias?
Rudbeckias are blooming perennials and are commonly known as black-eyed Susans (Rudbeckia hirta). They’re of the sunflower family (Asteraceae) and are often thought of as wildflowers.
When Do Rudbeckias Bloom?
Rudbeckias are perfect late summer and fall flowers because they bloom from June to August. You can extend rudbeckias’ flowering period by deadheading the flowers at the base of the stem. Also, cutting plants back after they flower may result in them giving you a second flowering in the fall.
Common Types of Rudbeckias
Rudbeckias have black, dark brown, or green centers with daisy-like petals and oval, rough-textured leaves.
The stereotypical rudbeckia is a yellow flower with daisy-like petals and a dark center. But there are actually about twenty-five varieties of rudbeckias. Rudbeckias are great for adding pops of bright colors to any garden design, because they come in bright yellow, gold, orange, bronze, red, mahogany, and bicolor.
Rudbeckias also vary in size. They can be as small as a foot tall to around four feet tall.
Some common types of rudbeckias include:
Amarillo Gold
American Gold Rush
Becky
Cherokee Sunset
Cherry Brandy
Goldilocks
Goldstrum
Indian Summer
Maya
Prairie Glow
Prairie Sun
Sahara
Sundance
Toto Rustic
Why We Love Rudbeckias
The National Garden Bureau declared rudbeckia the “Perennial of the Year” in 2022. Besides its award-winning status, here are ten reasons why we love rudbeckia.
They’re easy to grow.
They grow quickly.
They’re pollinator friendly.
Butterflies use them as host plants
Seed-eating birds love rudbeckias. You may find some goldfinches visiting your rudbeckias during the winter!
They are drought resistant.
You’ll see them again next year if you let a few flowers go to seed.
They don’t have many diseases or pests.
The adult plants are deer-resistant because the leaves are hairy.
They are usually some of the first plants to grow back after a fire.
How to Grow and Care for Rudbeckias
Rudbeckias are easy to grow and care for. Here’s how.
1. When to Plant
Rudbeckias can be planted in late summer or fall, thereby making them an excellent addition to any fall garden. You can also start them as early as mid-April.
If you’re sowing from seed, then plant your rudbeckias about ten weeks before the last anticipated frost. The daytime temperatures should stay around seventy degrees.
2. Where to Plant
Rudbeckias like full sun, but they can tolerate partial shade as well. They thrive in zones 4-9.
3. Soil Needs
Rudbeckias do best in well-drained soil with a pH of about 6.8. But, really, they aren’t picky and they’ll thrive in just about anything.
4. How to Water
Water them early in the morning or in the late afternoon. Allow them time to dry before nighttime to avoid powdery mildew, and try not to get water on their leaves.
5. What to Watch Out For
Rudbeckias are susceptible to powdery mildew, Septoria, and angular leaf spots. But good watering practices (see above), air circulation, and proper spacing can reduce the chance of disease. If your plant does become infected, remove and throw away the affected leaves. Do not compost them so as to avoid spreading the disease.
Also, while the adult plants are deer resistant, deer will still eat young rudbeckia plants. Rabbits like to munch on them as well (because rabbits like to munch on everything).
If your rudbeckias have wonderful leaves but no flowers, then you likely have too much nitrogen in the soil. So, consider using a fertilizer (although they typically don’t need fertilizer) that is high in phosphorus.
Are Rudbeckias Good Cut Flowers?
Rudbeckias are great cut flowers! They add a beautiful pop of color to any arrangement, and the seed heads hold up well. The best rudbeckia varieties for cut flowers are Goldilocks, Goldrush, and Sahara. Come check them out at our Ohio garden center today!
Rudbeckias are hardy plants that are perfect for adding color to gardens during the late summer and fall. Also, rudbeckias are great for beginning gardeners or gardeners who want a low maintenance plant. Come check out our garden center for your autumn rudbeckias. We open for fall on August 31st and we’d love to help you make your garden fall-friendly!
