FlowerRudbeckia
Cherokee Sunset Rudbeckia
Coneflower
Cherokee Sunset Rudbeckia delivers a spectacular display of large, double flowers in warm sunset tones, bronzed yellow tips bleeding into rich crimson bases that seem to glow in late summer and fall light. This AAS award-winning cultivar grows as a compact 24-30 inch bush and reaches full bloom in 100-120 days from seed, making it ideal for gardeners in zones 9-10 seeking reliable color and cutting material. The open-pollinated nature means you can save seed year after year, and the plant's impressive drought and deer tolerance make it a workhorse for gardens that need minimal fussing once established.
Photo © True Leaf Market
Growing Conditions
USDA Zone
9-10
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
Moderate
Soil
Well-drained Loam, Tolerates Poor Soil
Preferred Temp65-85°F
Growth Stats
30 in
Height
18 in
Width
12 in
Spacing
100–120
Days to Harvest
PeriodAnnual, Biennial, Perennial
TypeForb/herb
Plant Profile
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
Moderate
Zones
9-10
Size
30in H x 18in W
Growth
Annual, Biennial, Perennial
Care
Moderate
Hover over chart points for details
Highlights
The real magic here is the bicolored petals with those dramatic sunset hues combined with enormous 3-5 inch double and semi-double blooms that practically glow against green foliage. Cherokee Sunset stays compact enough for containers and borders yet produces blooms prolifically from summer straight through fall. It's tough enough to handle deer and dry spells, disease-resistant to powdery mildew, and irresistible to pollinators, which means you get both wildlife activity and cut-flower bounty without coddling.
Common Uses
This variety excels as a cut flower, where those large, long-lasting double blooms hold their striking sunset colors in the vase for days. The continuous bloom from June through November makes it invaluable for keeping arrangements filled all season, and the sturdy stems cooperate beautifully in mixed bouquets.
Growing Timeline
First Bloom
Mid-summer
Care Instructions
Start Indoors
Start seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before your last frost date in containers, keeping temperatures between 65-75°F. Sow seeds on the soil surface or with very light coverage, as light is required for germination. Use a humidity dome to retain moisture during the germination period. Transplant seedlings into your garden after hardening them off and danger of frost has completely passed.
Transplant Outdoors
Harden off seedlings by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions over 7-10 days. Transplant out after all danger of frost has passed, spacing plants 12 inches apart in full sun with well-draining soil enriched with compost.
Direct Sow
In zones 8 and warmer, you can direct sow seeds after all danger of frost has passed. Sow seeds on the soil surface or with very light coverage and firm them in gently. Keep soil consistently moist until seedlings establish.
Harvesting
For cut flowers, harvest blooms in the morning after dew dries but before the heat of the day. Pick when flowers are just before completely open for the longest vase life. For dried flowers, allow blooms to open fully on the plant before harvesting and drying.
Pruning
Pinching is not required for Cherokee Sunset, the plant naturally branches and fills out nicely on its own. Deadhead spent blooms to encourage continuous flowering throughout the season, or allow flowers to remain on the plant if you want it to reseed for next year.
Growing Calendar
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Companion Planting
Pests & Diseases
Ecology & Traits
Deer ResistantDrought TolerantAttracts PollinatorsNative Species
Bloom Time
Summer To Fall
Scientific Classification
Rudbeckia hirta L.
Family
Asteraceae
Genus
Rudbeckia
Duration
Annual, Biennial, Perennial
Growth Habit
Bush
Native Status
L48 (N)AK (I)CAN (N)