Plug Connection
Rudbeckia hirta
Black-eyed Susan has come a long way! These 3 varieties may hardly be recognized by your customers as the roadside wildflower they used to be.
Sahara is a favorite with variable brown, red, gold and tan shades with some semi-double to double flowers. Irish Eyes is big and tall with golden petals and a bright green center. ChimChiminee has the full range from gold to rust with double flowers of petals that never unroll, giving them a slight porcupine effect. Cherry Brandy is a bit short but certainly worth growing with its deep burgundy petals and dark center. Rudbeckia hirta is quite adaptable. Plant anytime, starting 6 weeks before frost. They enjoy a cold establishment period and may perennialize in some settings.
The range of colors and degree of doubleness will vary within each variety. Rudbeckia is not the most stable, genetically speaking. Photos are provided as a guide not a guarantee.
Grown in a 288 cell tray billed as 285.
Order 6 or more weeks in advance of desired ship date.
Sahara photo courtesy Susan Rockwood, Arcola Trail Flower Farm
Irish Eyes photo from PanAmerican Seed
Learn More: Rudbeckia Growing Guide
Order Minimums & Tray Sizes
The minimum Plug Connection order is four total trays (each tray can be a different variety)
A full shipping box contains FOUR 128 cell trays or a combination of 128 and 288 cell trays.
*If you are only ordering 288 cell trays, then FIVE trays will fill a box.
Growing Guides
Click here to access our comprehensive growing guides containing everything you need to know about this crop.
| Common Name | Rudbeckia |
| Genus | Rudbeckia |
| Species | hirta, tribola |
| Family | Asteraceae |
| Life Cycle |
Perennial, or short lived perennial treated as annual.
|
| Format | Perennial Plugs |
| Plug Care | Transplant within 2 weeks of arrival. |
| Netting / Staking | No |
| Temperature Range | 25-95F |
| Spacing | 9-12" |
| Soil Preference | Well drained soil of average fertility. |
| Day Length | Obligate long day |
| Pinching | No |
| When to Plant |
In fall, 2-4 weeks before first frost in warmer zones, or in spring around the last frost date.
|
| Harvesting |
Cut when flowers are open and stems are stiff. Flowers cut too early may wilt. Keep flowers cut to encourage additional blooms.
|
| Post Harvest Care | Holding solution in the cooler. |
| Diseases / Insects | Generally pest free |
| Bailey's Notes |
Rudbeckia hirta can perennialize in some locations, but it generally treated as an annual. They need long days to flower. When planted under short days they will grow roots and leaves and then flower as the days increase in length. Best stem length will come from plants that are established under short days and then allowed to flower as summer progresses.
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| Resources |
NC State Extension Rudbeckia triloba (Brown-Eyed Susan) USDA Black-Eyed Susan Plant Guide University of Florida Cooperative Extension Service Rudbeckia Hirta Fact Sheet |