Orange coneflower, Black eyed Susan
At a glance
The taxonomists have given us a real mouthful with the extended name of this popular perennial, but Rudbeckia ‘Goldsturm’ will do for most of us and most expert and experienced gardeners would put Rudbeckia f.v.s. ‘Goldsturm’ in their top ten perennials. To me it is not only a joyous and cheery plant but because it is an easy grower, you know most gardeners can rely on ‘Goldsturm’ giving pleasure for many years. From mats of glossy deep green leaves closed buds on slender stems erupt in a mass of bloom for weeks in late summer and early autumn, given an open position where not too dry. Good partners would include Geranium ‘Rozanne’, Stipa tenuissima, Aster x frikartii ‘Monch’, Miscanthus sinensis ‘Morning Light’.
Period of interest: Midsummer into Winter