Cherry Brandy Rudbeckia (autumn, cold, plants, summer)

[paperhouse]

This is one of three plants I grew from seed last year. It's stunning in the garden.



Seeds were collected and wintersown this year. They didn't come true.





I can't remember who asked, but the CB is shorter than the normal R. hirta plants, about 24". The second generation bloomers above are very tall. The last one has flopped almost completely. I should have cut them back, but I was curious to see just how big they would get. Easily over 3' tall.

[aussie_rachel]

So pretty!

[DKVA]

Love the cherry-especially the shorter height!

[rdlr]

Beautiful! I love the colors. Are they hardy? And, what zone are you in?

[no kudzu]

where did you get the seed? Thanks for the pics. Stunning.

[paperhouse]

Originally Posted by rdlr

Beautiful! I love the colors. Are they hardy? And, what zone are you in?

I'm in NC, zone 7b on the cusp of 8a. Three CB plants survived the winter. They had really tattered foliage after several weeks of abnormally cold weather. I trimmed it all back and they regrew to bloom.

My seeds came from Thompson&Morgan. The first generation seeds are meant to come true. Due to cross pollination with all my other rudbeckia, I'm not surprised they reverted to the yellow variety with red accents. I get some really interesting rudbeckia hirta in my yard.

This one probably came from the seeds collected from Autumn Colors.



Doubles appear from time to time.



Basic yellow, but the cone is swirled with green. Irish Eyes is the likely parent.



And then this one, with petals that stick straight out from the cone. The later blooms will be larger. One last year was over 6" across.

[rdlr]

Thanks for all that good info! I love them and will definitely incorporate them into my garden.

[aussie_rachel]

They are cool flowers. I love summer.

[rdlr]

Originally Posted by aussie_rachel

They are cool flowers. I love summer.

I do, too!
And, there's something about digging in the dirt and watching things grow, that makes all gardeners bond.

[Luvvarkansas]

Never met a rudbeckia I didn't like.