Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Featured Plant of The Day: Rudbeckia hirta 'Goldilocks'

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

Native Habitat
Species native to North America.

Landscape Uses
-    Container plantings
-    Border
-    Foundation planting
-    Specimen

Attributes and Features
-    Naturalizing
-    Attracts butterflies
-    Sensitive to humidity

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.