Rudbeckia

Rudbeckia works well in borders through to Autumn with its weather resistant blooms bouncing back from rainfall.

Flowers in the first year, attracting bees and butterflies as well as being a stunning cut flower.

Sow seeds from in Spring and Autumn in individual pots or module trays of moist seed compost and cover seeds with a very fine sprinkling of compost or vermiculite. Place container in a propagator or warm place, and keep at a temperature of between 20-25C. A

fter sowing, do not exclude light as this helps germination. Keep the surface of the compost moist but not waterlogged. When well grown, gradually acclimatise young plants to outdoor conditions for a few weeks before planting out after all risk of frost, 20 30cm apart, taking care not to damage the root system.

Plant out Autumn sowings in March time, they will be well developed to handle any further light frosts

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With Rudbeckia, perennials tend to be yellow flowered, whereas those grown as annuals are available in a wider colour range, with shades of yellow, orange, dark red or brown. However, even those grown as annual may overwinter in mild conditions and will flower more strongly in second year. Perennials are short lived - 3-4 years in sheltered locations on free-draining soil.