Rudbeckia hirta ‘Prairie Sun’ (Black-Eyed Susan)

Award-winning Rudbeckia hirta ‘Prairie Sun’ is a biennial boasting unusually large daisy-like flowers, up to 5 in. wide (12 cm) – one of the largest blooms among Rudbeckia. The flowers are adorned with bright orange rays, delicately yellow-tipped, that surround a light green center disk. Blooming profusely from early summer to frost, they provide weeks of eye-catching color. The flowers are produced in such quantities that they almost cover the lovely foliage of bright green leaves. An outstanding cut flower, its seed heads have good winter interest unless they are used in dried arrangements.

• While a relatively new introduction, Prairie Sun has already won multiple awards, including the All-America Selections award (2003), Fleuroselect Gold Medal (2003)
• Growing in upright clumps up to 2-3 ft. tall (60-90 cm) and 1-2 ft. wide (30-60 cm). 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.
• Rudbeckia hirta is native to Eastern and Central North America.