Rudbeckia fulgida 'Early Bird Gold' PP20286

Rudbeckia 'Early Bird Gold' Black-Eyed Susan

Common Name: Black-Eyed Susan, Coneflower

A genetic breakthrough in Rudbeckia! This new variety has the incredible advantage of being day length neutral (not dependent on day length to induce flowering) which means that it starts blooming much earlier and continues to bloom later into the season.

As a container plant, it can be produced to bloom any time whether that's in time for Memorial Day or Labor Day. Some growers in Florida are reportedly producing them to bloom in January!

'Early Bird Gold' was discovered in a field of 'Goldsturm' at Dupont Nursery in Louisiana where it bloomed consistently two months before 'Goldsturm' and continued to bloom two months longer as well.

It exhibits all of the other notable qualities of 'Goldsturm' including golden yellow, daisy-like flowers with a brown cone and a sturdy, upright habit.

Height:

24.0 Inches

Spread:

18.0-24.0 Inches

Hardiness Zones:

4,5,6,7,8,9,10

Flower Color:

Orange Shades

Foliage Color:

Green shades

Sunlight:

Full Sun (> 6 hrs. Direct Sun) Part Shade (4-6 hrs. Direct Sun)

Water Requirements:

Low Water Needs Average Water Needs

Soil Quality:

Average Soil Quality

Soil Chemistry:

Acidic Soil (pH < 7.0) Neutral Soil (pH = 7.0) Alkaline Soil (pH > 7.0)

Bloomtime:

Early Summer Midsummer Late Summer Early Fall Mid Fall Rebloomer Long Blooming Continuous Bloom

Attracts Wings:

Attracts Butterflies Attracts Hummingbirds

Growth Rate:

Medium

Garden Style:

Patio Container Cottage Eclectic Prairie Rain Garden

Other Features:

Border Plant Container Cut Flower Cut Foliage Easy To Grow Mass Planting

Origin:

Native to North America

Rudbeckias like full sun, but they also will do well in partial shade. Plant them in well-drained, not overly rich soil. Remove spent flowers in order to stimulate continuous bloom. Plants will self-seed. If this is not desired, cut the plants back in fall. They also make great cut flowers.

Characteristics