Rudbeckia
Perennial
Perennial
One of the most reliable late-summer perennials: plant in spring and it flowers from its first year.
Care
Full sun is best; tolerates light shade.
Medium — happier in soil that doesn't dry out than most prairie daisies.
Moist but well-drained soil; copes with clay.
Leave the dark seed heads standing over winter, then cut everything back to the base in early spring.
Rarely needs feeding in the ground; a compost mulch in spring is enough.
Divide clumps in spring every few years, replanting the vigorous outer pieces.
Month by month
Months change with the climate: in southern Italy tomatoes go out two months earlier than in England.
- MarchCut last year's stems to the base as new growth starts. how ›
- MayProtect young shoots from slugs. how ›
- OctoberLeave seed heads standing for winter structure and birds.
Months based on climate: UK. Your choice stays on this device.
- MarchCut last year's stems to the base as new growth starts. how ›
- MayProtect young shoots from slugs. how ›
- OctoberLeave seed heads standing for winter structure and birds.
Months based on climate: Northern Italy. Your choice stays on this device.
Common problems
How to spot it. Spring shoots eaten back.
What to do. Protect emerging clumps in spring.
How to spot it. White coating on leaves in dry late summers.
What to do. Mulch and water in drought; usually cosmetic.
How to spot it. Fewer flowers and a bare centre.
What to do. Divide in spring.
Gloriosa daisyRudbeckia hirta
Gloriosa daisy
Treat it as an annual: sow each spring, and it gives weeks of colour until the frosts.
Care
Full sun for the longest flowering.
Medium — water in dry spells, particularly in pots.
Any reasonable well-drained soil.
Deadhead to prolong flowering. It is a short-lived perennial usually grown as an annual; plants that survive a mild winter are rarely as good the second year.
A balanced liquid feed every two to three weeks in pots; in the ground usually none.
From seed sown under cover in early spring with warmth, then planted out after the last frost.
Month by month
Months change with the climate: in southern Italy tomatoes go out two months earlier than in England.
- MarchSow under cover with gentle warmth. how ›
- MayHarden off and plant out once frost risk has passed. how ›
- AugustDeadhead regularly to keep flowers coming into autumn. how ›
Months based on climate: UK. Your choice stays on this device.
- MarchSow under cover with gentle warmth. how ›
- AprilHarden off and plant out once frost risk has passed. how ›
- AugustDeadhead regularly to keep flowers coming into autumn. how ›
Months based on climate: Northern Italy. Your choice stays on this device.
Common problems
How to spot it. Young plants grazed after planting out.
What to do. Plant out sturdy plants and protect them at first.
How to spot it. White coating on leaves late in the season.
What to do. Cosmetic at that stage; water at the base.
How to spot it. Survivors flower poorly.
What to do. Resow each year.
Questions
Rudbeckia: is it hardy?
Perennial: H6: Hardy in the vast majority of UK gardens. It survives down to −20 °C. Gloriosa daisy: H3: Half hardy. It survives down to −5 °C.
Can it grow in a pot?
Perennial: Possible in a large pot, but happiest in the ground. Gloriosa daisy: Yes — dwarf varieties are good late-summer pot plants.
Rudbeckia: when do you prune it?
Perennial: Leave the dark seed heads standing over winter, then cut everything back to the base in early spring. In the calendar for UK, pruning falls in March. Gloriosa daisy: Deadhead to prolong flowering.
Rudbeckia: when does it flower?
Perennial: In the climate of UK it flowers in August–October. Gloriosa daisy: In the climate of UK it flowers in July–October.
When do you feed it?
Perennial: Rarely needs feeding in the ground; a compost mulch in spring is enough. Gloriosa daisy: A balanced liquid feed every two to three weeks in pots; in the ground usually none. Feeding months, UK: July–August.