Thursday, August 9, 2012

Goldilocks Black-eyed Susan, Perennial of The Day

Rudbeckia hirta 'Goldilocks'     
syn. Rudbeckia flava
    Black-eyed Susan,  Coneflower,  Gloriosa Daisy

Type    Annual, biennial, perennial
Height    10" to 15" / 25cm to 40cm
Spread    24" to 30" / 60cm to 75cm
Growth rate    Fast
Form    Rounded and upright or erect
Exposure    Partial shade or partial sun to full sun

Bloom Color    Yellow
Bloom Time    Summer and Fall

The flowers are showy and suitable for cut flowers.

Environment
This plant tolerates salt well.
This plant will grow in dry soil.
Suitable soil is well-drained/loamy or sandy.
The pH preference is  a neutral soil.

Leaf Color    Green

Culture Notes
This plant is a short-lived perennial or biennial and is often grown as an annual.  It self-sows easily and cuttings can be taken in late summer and rooted in the cold frame.  This plant prefers a sunny spot, with a well-drained fertile soil.  Plants serve as butterfly nectar sources.  'Goldilocks' is a Fleuroselect winner.  It is more compact and has double or semidouble yellow blossoms.

Hollyhock Mallow, Perennial of The Day

Malva alcea 
Hollyhock Mallow



Type    Perennial
Hardy range    4A to 9A
Height    18" to 36" / 45cm to 90cm
Spread    12" to 18" / 30cm to 45cm
Growth rate    Average
Form    Upright or erect
Exposure    Partial shade or partial sun to full sun


Bloom Color    Pink
Bloom Time    Summer and Fall


Environment
This plant tolerates drought.
This plant will grow in moist soil.
Suitable soil is well-drained/loamy.
The pH preference is  a neutral soil.


Leaf Color    Green

Culture Notes
This easy to grow plant may need staking to keep it from sprawling.  It will reseed easily and could become a problem in the ornamental garden.  It works well in a naturalistic planting areas.