Rudbeckia fulgida var. deamii
A show stopper and a particular favourite at Harlow Carr, Rudbeckia fulgida var. deamii nestles comfortably on the main herbaceous borders adjacent to the Parrotia persica. Belonging to the daisy family, this versatile late summer perennial originates from the prairies of North America. You cannot fail to notice the glow of yellow which the petals emit for an extremely long flowering season - well into November. Finches are particularly fond of the seed heads.
Vital statistics
- Common name
- Deam’s Coneflower
- Family
- Asteraceae
- Height & spread
- 50-100cm (18in-3ft) tall x 50 cm (20in) wide
- Form
- Herbaceous perennial
- Soil
- Moderately fertile, preferably heavy, moist but well-drained soil
- Aspect
- Full sun or partial shade
- Hardiness
- Fully hardy
Rudbeckia
This is a genus of about 20 species of annuals, biennials and perennials from moist meadows and light woodland in North America. They have branched or unbranched stems and most have prominently veined leaves toothed towards the tips.
Usually solitary, daisy-like flowerheads, often with reflexed yellow ray-florets and conical centres consisting of black, brown or green disc-florets, are borne on long stems over a long period from summer to autumn.
Most are good for cut flowers and do well in a mixed border, naturalized in a meadow or in a woodland garden.
Rudbeckia was named for Olof Rudbeck (1630-1702) 'one of the most remarkable Swedes of all time', founder of the Uppsala botanic garden, and his son of the same name (1660-1740) who was a professor in Uppsala and friend of Linnaeus when he was a poverty-stricken student!
Rudbeckia fulgida var. deamii
R. fulgida var. deamii is a clump-forming, erect herbaceous perennial that typically reaches 60cm (2ft) but may exceed 1m (3.3ft) , with oval, dark green hairy leaves. It has black-eyed, bright yellow daisies that flower from late summer to mid autumn and are followed by dark brown cone-shaped seedheads that attract birds. It is from Ohio, Indiana and Illinois in the USA.
Cultivation
- Grow in moderately fertile, preferably heavy but well-drained soil that does not dry out, in full sun or partial shade.
- Slugs may damage young growth.
- Generally free from disease, though prone to powdery mildew on dry soil.
Propagation
- Sow seed of perennials in containers in a cold frame in early spring, or divide in autumn or spring.
- Sow seed of annuals and biennials at 16-18°C (61-64°F) in spring.
AGM
The RHS Herbaceous Plant Committee awarded Rudbeckia fulgida var. deamii an Award of Garden Merit, describing it:
'Clump-forming, erect herbaceous perennial to 60cm, with oval, dark green, roughly hairy leaves and black-eyed bright yellow daisies to 7cm wide. Very floriferous. A tried and tested variety.'