Caramel Rudbeckia is a half-hardy annual that brings a smoky palette of caramel and vintage rose tones to gardens from midsummer through fall. This early-blooming cultivar of Rudbeckia hirta reaches 24-36 inches tall with sturdy stems that support long-lasting flowers, blooming reliably within 85 days of sowing. Hardy in zones 2-11 and thriving in full sun with soil pH between 5.5-7.5, it's a dependable choice for gardeners seeking extended color without fussy care.
Full Sun
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2-11
36in H x ?in W
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Moderate
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The color story here is exceptional: a smoky blend of caramel and vintage rose that feels both warm and moody, setting this rudbeckia apart from the typical bright yellows and oranges you see in gardens. Sturdy stems and long-lasting blooms keep the display vibrant from midsummer straight through fall, making it a reliable workhorse for continuous color. Early germination (sprouting in just 7-10 days) and consistent 85-day bloom timing mean you can count on this variety to perform predictably, whether you're filling beds or cutting fresh flowers.
Caramel Rudbeckia shines as a bedding plant and a reliable cut flower for fresh arrangements. Its sturdy stems and long vase life make it excellent for cutting gardens where you want reliable color throughout the season, and its compact to mid-height growth habit fills garden beds and borders with minimal staking.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before your last spring frost, sowing at a soil temperature of 65-75°F. Keep seeds moist and expect germination in 7-10 days. Grow seedlings in bright light and maintain temperatures in the 70-95°F range for strong development. Harden off seedlings for 7-10 days before transplanting outdoors after your last frost date.
Transplant seedlings outdoors after all danger of frost has passed and soil has warmed. Space plants 12 inches apart in prepared beds. Plant at the same depth they were growing in their containers; burying them deeper may reduce vigor.
Direct sow seeds outdoors after your last spring frost date, pressing seeds lightly into prepared soil at a depth of 1/8 inch. Keep soil moist until germination, which typically occurs within 7-10 days at temperatures of 70-95°F.
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