Rudbeckia triloba is a frost-hardy flower that thrives in zones 3 through 9, bringing reliable color to garden beds and borders from midsummer onward. This open-pollinated variety grows as a densely branched, compact plant reaching 48 to 60 inches tall, with a productive habit that rewards patient gardeners with abundant blooms suitable for cutting. Starting from seed indoors 5 to 7 weeks before your last frost, or direct sowing in early spring, you'll have flowers ready in 90 to 100 days. It tolerates partial shade and adapts to a wide soil pH range of 5.5 to 7.5, making it one of those reliable workhorses that fits into nearly any garden.
Partial Shade
Moderate
3-9
60in H x ?in W
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Moderate
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Dense branching and prolific flowering make this cultivar stand out as a filler flower with serious presence in the garden. The self-seeding tendency means once you've grown it, you may find volunteers returning year after year, spreading its productivity through your beds. Harvest blooms when they're completely open to bring weeks of color indoors, making it equally valuable as a cut flower crop.
Rudbeckia triloba excels in garden beds and borders, where its branching structure and flower production fill space with color throughout the season. It's particularly valued as a cut flower, performing well in arrangements when blooms are harvested at peak openness. The plant's reseeding habit also makes it useful for naturalizing areas and creating self-sustaining color year after year.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Sow seeds indoors 5 to 7 weeks before your last frost date. Cover seed lightly with soil. For best results, prechill seeds for 30 days by placing seedling flats outside or in the refrigerator, keeping soil moist throughout. After chilling, move flats into a warm location (60 to 75°F) until emergence occurs.
Transplant seedlings outdoors after the last frost date when soil has warmed. Space plants 18 inches apart. Harden off seedlings gradually before planting to acclimate them to outdoor conditions.
Direct seed as soon as soil can be worked in early spring or fall. Gently press seeds into soil without covering deeply. Soil temperature should be between 60 and 75°F for germination.
Harvest cut flowers when blooms are completely open. This timing provides the longest vase life and fullest color in arrangements.
Pinching is not required for this cultivar; its naturally dense, branching growth habit produces abundant flowers without intervention.
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