Rudbeckia Hirta 'Marmalade' - 100 (0.042g's) Perennial Flower Seeds

Marmalade Rudbeckias are amazing! They have large golden orange/yellow blooms with the distinctive dark central disk. As the flowers age the centre becomes raised forming a cone. These are lovely plants to grow for late flowers in your garden and your bees and butterflies will love them too!

Rudbeckia hirta "Marmalade" (Black-eyed Susan) is a bushy and reliable, short-lived perennial, usually grown as an annual, boasting large and long-lasting, daisylike flowers, up to 5 in. wide (12 cm) - one of the largest blooms among Rudbeckia. The blossoms are adorned with bright, golden-orange rays surrounding a dark chocolate centre disk. Enjoying a fairly extended blooming season, from early summer to early fall, this Black-Eyed Susan puts on a spectacular show in the garden when other plants are starting to fade. It will bloom the first year from seed and will usually remain in the garden through self-seeding.

Grows in upright clumps up to 18-24 in. tall and wide (45-60cm). May survive up to a few seasons but will self seed and remain in the garden

Thrives in full sun in average, medium moisture, well-drained soils Drought tolerant once established.

Ridiculously easy to grow and largely trouble free, this rudbeckia is a great candidate for mixed borders, cutting gardens, or as an accent plant when planted in mass.

Deer resistant, the flowers are attractive to pollinating insects, butterflies and birds

Remove and discard spent flowers to encourage extended blooming and prevent unwanted seedlings next season.

Easily propagated by seed.

• Hardiness: 3 – 7
• Heat Zones: 1 – 7
• Climate Zones: 1 - 24 
• Plant Type: Annuals, Perennials 
• Plant Family: Rudbeckias 
• Exposure: Full Sun 
• Season of Interest: Summer (Early,Mid,Late) Autumn
• Height: 1'– 2' (30cm – 60cm)
• Spread: 1'– 2' (30cm – 60cm)
• Spacing: 12" – 18" (30cm – 45cm)
• Water Needs: Low, Average 
• Maintenance: Low 
• Soil Type: Clay, Loam 
• Soil pH: Acid, Alkaline, Neutral 
• Soil Drainage: Moist but Well-Drained 
• Characteristics: Dried Arrangements, Cut Flowers, Showy 
• Tolerance: Clay Soil, Deer,  Drought, Dry Soil 
• Attracts: Birds, Butterflies 

Sowing: Sow indoors in modules from March and April. Rudbeckia seeds are tiny and like most tiny seeds they need light to germinate. Germinates in 2 weeks at 18°C-21°C. Transplant to individual pots when the seedlings are large enough to handle and grow on until they have formed sturdy young plants.

Thin/Plant Out: Plant out in May in full sun 30cm/1 foot apart. Take care not to disturb their roots too much. Rudbeckias resent disturbance!

Conditions Required: Rudbeckias are great for cut flower beds, borders and for growing in containers too. They will perform best in full sun and like plenty of water… please don’t allow the soil to dry out as your plants will suffer.

Flower Production: Rudbeckias may seem slow to get going but once established they will produce flowers from July to October or even longer in mild sheltered places. Usually takes 10-12 weeks from seed to flower.

Picking: Cut when the petals have unfurled and the central cone is tight. Lasts up to two weeks in a vase providing the water is clean.

Planting Combinations: Grow Marmalade with other Rudbeckias such as Cappucino or Rustic Mixed. They also combine well with Grasses and blue flowers such as Salvia viridis and the glaucous foliage of Cerinthe major Purpurascens.