Rudbeckia hirta

‘Sonora’

BLACK EYED SUSAN

Rudbeckia hirta ‘Sonora’
BLACK EYED SUSAN

Rudbeckia hirta ‘Sonora’ is a real dazzler with very large flowers sparkling with contrast.
The velvety petals shade from a broad mahogany central zone, and a prominent chocolate cone, to sunshine yellow outer edges. 

Velvety mahogany, chocolate & sunshine yellow

And the boldly contrasting flowers are also boldly large – up to 8cm. across, but absolutely covering a small, compact bush.

Covered with flowers for months

Large daisies blooms are abundant all over summer and autumn.
And borne in such profusion that the small bush is covered in colour for months.
While hairy, fresh-green leaves make a beautiful colour contrast in a low foliage clump (if you can see it between the flowers).
Flowers begin in early summer, and continue until the first frost of winter.

Great cut flowers

Rudbeckia hirta ‘Sonora’  is also a superb floristry flower when cut for a vase.
As well as a star in the garden with it’s velvety rich colouring, and exceptionally long flowering season.
It also makes a spectacular feature pot, because of the constant, abundant long blooming, and neat compact growth.
So it is always tidy, and covered with bloom all season.

Bee & bird friendly

Our friends the bees, native birds, and other useful pollinators flock to the flowers.
While fortunately the plant is largely untroubled by harmful pests and diseases.

Rabbit & Deer resistant

Even rabbits and deer leave it low on their list of menu choices.

Water-wise & easy to grow

Plant Rudbeckia hirta ‘Sonora’ in Sun to Part Shade.
Where it is hardy in heat, dry & frost.
And obligingly it also tolerates a wide range of soils, including from sandy to clay conditions.
So Rudbeckia hirta is valued as a water-wise plant, and makes a spectacular addition to gardens where water is rationed, or planted in pots.
It is drought resistant once established, and relishes heat.

Low maintenance

Rudbeckia hirta ‘Sonora’ forms a delightfully coloured, unbelievably long blooming, and low maintenance clump.
60cm. High and absolutely covered with flowers x 40cm. Wide rounded bushy foliage.

Quick & easy to grow from seed

Ridiculously quick & easy from seed to flower

‘Sonora’  is ridiculously easy to grow in the garden, and unbelievably quick and easy to raise from seed. It is a self sowing biennial.
So even though each plant only lasts for two years, it reliably self sows a new crop of babies and a procession of flowers each year. Providing you leave some flower heads to go to seed each year of course.

SEED SOWING ADVICE: QUICK & EASY

Suitable for beginners and gardening with kids

Sow seeds of Rudbeckia hirta ‘Sonora’ at any time of year in a punnet indoors / or scatter the seed directly in the garden in spring or autumn.

Sow indoors for quick & early plants: First sow the seeds in a punnet on the surface of good quality seed raising mix.
Then gently press the seeds onto the surface of the mix to ensure good contact.
And barely cover seed with sieved mix, because these seeds need light for germination.

Now thoroughly moisten the mix by standing the sown punnet in a shallow water bath.
So the moisture percolates up through the mix from below.
Soak for a short time until moisture appears on the surface of the mix, and then drain.
As the mix needs to be remain moist but not wet.

Then place the punnet in a warm, well-lit position (not in direct sun).
Temperatures of 18-21°C approx. are best for rapid and optimum germination.
You can use a temperature controlled heat mat if you have one, but it is not essential.

And continue to keep the punnet moist by using a spray water bottle, or re-soaking in the water bath, as required.
Adding a clear plastic cover also helps to retain even moisture.

Seedlings emerge in approx. 10-15 days.

Seed Count: 8 seeds per pack approx.
(We always aim to exceed the stated seed count, and give a generous serve).

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