Description
Product Description
Rudbeckia fulgida (Orange Coneflower / Perennial Black-Eyed Susan) is a dependable, long-blooming native perennial famed for golden-yellow daisies with dark cones from midsummer into fall. Upright, branching clumps produce weeks of color that draw bees, butterflies, and beneficials, while seed heads feed birds in fall and add winter texture. Tough and adaptable in full sun to light part sun and dry to medium, well-drained soils (including clay), this low-maintenance workhorse shines in borders, meadows, and pollinator plantings.
Quick-Glance Specs
| Attribute | Details |
| Botanical Name | Rudbeckia fulgida |
| Common Name | Orange Coneflower; Perennial Black-Eyed Susan |
| Plant Type | Native perennial wildflower |
| Native/Non-native | Native to North America |
| Hardiness Zone | 3–9 |
| Sun Exposure | Full sun to light part sun |
| Moisture | Dry to medium; well-drained; clay tolerant once established |
| Mature Height | 24–36″ (2–3 ft) |
| Mature Spread | 18–24″ clump |
| Growth Habit | Upright, branching clumps; slowly enlarging |
| Growth Rate | Moderate |
| Fragrance | None |
| Bloom Time | Midsummer to fall (extended with deadheading) |
| Flower Color | Golden yellow rays with dark brown/black cones |
| Seasonal Interest | Long bloom; decorative seed heads for birds/winter |
| Foliage & Features | Dark green leaves; sturdy, cut-flower-worthy stems |
| Landscape Features | Pollinator magnet; bird seed; drought/clay tolerant |
| Landscape Uses | Borders, meadows, cottage/native plantings, pollinator strips, massing |
| Soil | Average to lean loam or clay-loam with drainage; avoid chronic winter wet |
| Water Needs | Low to medium after establishment |
| Maintenance | Low; deadhead or shear; cut back late fall/early spring |
| Deer/Pest Resistance | Deer resistant (young shoots may be sampled by rabbits) |
| Container Friendly | Best in large, well-drained containers |
| Recommended Spacing | 18–24″ on center |
Care & Growing Information
- Site & Light: Provide full sun for the heaviest bloom and stout stems; light part sun is acceptable.
- Soil & Water: Thrives in well-drained soils (loam to clay-loam). Water to establish; then drought tolerant with occasional deep watering in prolonged dry spells. Avoid chronically wet/winter-soggy sites.
- Grooming: Deadhead to extend bloom or shear by ⅓–½ after the main flush for a tidy rebloom. Leave some seed heads for birds and winter interest.
- Seasonal Care: Cut back to basal rosettes in late fall or late winter/early spring. Divide every 3–4 years to refresh vigor and increase stock.
Key Features
- Weeks of golden blooms midsummer–fall
- Strong pollinator draw; seed for birds in fall/winter
- Drought and clay tolerant once established
- Excellent cut flower with sturdy stems
- Low maintenance and highly adaptable
Problems
- Generally easy and durable. Occasional leaf spot or powdery mildew in stagnant humidity—ensure spacing and water at soil level. Flopping can occur in shade or overly rich soils—site sunny, keep fertility moderate.
Uses in the Landscape
- Mixed borders and cottage/native plantings for long-season color
- Meadows/prairie mixes with grasses and summer perennials
- Pollinator strips and roadside/hellstrips with lean soils
- Mass plantings for bold, low-input displays
Availability / Ordering
- Sizes Offered: #1 Gallon, 4″, DP-50 Plug
- Recommended Spacing: 18–24″ for cohesive drifts, airflow, and easy care.
Why You’ll Love It
- A bulletproof native delivering months of cheerful color
- Wildlife value from peak bloom to winter seed
- Minimal care—shear once, cut back once, enjoy all season
Quick Highlights
A sun-loving native perennial with golden daisies and ironclad performance—Rudbeckia fulgida powers borders and meadows with pollinators, bird seed, and extended bloom on tough sites.
