Rudbeckia

The genus Rudbeckia includes about 40 species of herbaceous annual and perennial plants. Annual species include the following. Rudbeckia amplexicaulis can reach a height of 1.5 m. It is characterized by oval-oblong leaves, upper heart-shaped and stem-embracing. The basket inflorescences have brown tubular (median) flowers, and yellow reed (marginal) flowers have a purplish-red hue. Flowering lasts from June to October. Rudbeckia bicolor (R. bicolor) is a 60 cm tall species with bristly leaves. The tubular flowers of the baskets are dark purple, almost black, and the tongue flowers are yellow, with a chestnut-purple spot. In the variety 'Star of Kelvedon', the reed flowers are golden yellow, with a darker spot, and the tubular ones are dark chestnut; in the 'Magnificent' basket, they are colored yellow, the bases of the reed flowers are red. Rudbeckia hairy (R. hirta) is a shrub with a height of 50-60 cm, profusely branching. The leaves are spatulate and pointed at the ends; the leaves and stems are covered with stiff hairs. Lingual flowers are bright golden yellow, tubular-small brown, almost black, on a convex thimble-shaped peduncle. Inflorescences up to 10 cm in diameter. The variety 'Tetra-Gloriosa' has long lingual flowers (15 cm or more). Of the perennial species, the most common are those of R. fulgida, especially its 'Golden Storm' variety, 40-50 cm high. The leaves are slightly pubescent, elongated-spatulate. Inflorescences are large golden- yellow, the center is brown. Rudbeckia brilliant beautiful (R. fulgida var. speciosa) is a garden form characterized by lanceolate toothed leaves on long petioles (upper stem-embracing). In the baskets, the tubular flowers are dark brown, and the lingual ones are yellow with a greenish spot. They bloom in late summer and autumn. Rudbeckia dissected (R. laciniata) is a popular plant with a height of more than 2 m, its garden form with double spherical golden-yellow inflorescences is known everywhere- 'Golden Ball'. This is a densely branching bush, often forming real thickets (rhizomes grow widely). The leaves are dissected, shiny, round-arm-shaped. Blooms in July-October.

The genus Rudbeckia includes about 40 species of herbaceous annual and perennial plants.

Annual species include the following.

Rudbeckia amplexicaulis can reach a height of 1.5 m. It is characterized by oval-oblong leaves, upper heart-shaped and stem-embracing. The basket inflorescences have brown tubular (median) flowers, and yellow reed (marginal) flowers have a purplish-red hue. Flowering lasts from June to October.

Rudbeckia bicolor (R. bicolor) is a 60 cm tall species with bristly leaves. The tubular flowers of the baskets are dark purple, almost black, and the tongue flowers are yellow, with a chestnut-purple spot. In the variety 'Star of Kelvedon', the reed flowers are golden yellow, with a darker spot, and the tubular ones are dark chestnut; in the 'Magnificent' basket, they are colored yellow, the bases of the reed flowers are red.

Rudbeckia hairy (R. hirta) is a shrub with a height of 50-60 cm, profusely branching. The leaves are spatulate and pointed at the ends; the leaves and stems are covered with stiff hairs. Lingual flowers are bright golden yellow, tubular-small brown, almost black, on a convex thimble-shaped peduncle. Inflorescences up to 10 cm in diameter. The variety 'Tetra-Gloriosa' has long lingual flowers (15 cm or more).

Of the perennial species, the most common are those of R. fulgida, especially its 'Golden Storm' variety, 40-50 cm high. The leaves are slightly pubescent, elongated-spatulate. Inflorescences are large golden- yellow, the center is brown.

Rudbeckia brilliant beautiful (R. fulgida var. speciosa) is a garden form characterized by lanceolate toothed leaves on long petioles (upper stem-embracing). In the baskets, the tubular flowers are dark brown, and the lingual ones are yellow with a greenish spot. They bloom in late summer and autumn.

Rudbeckia dissected (R. laciniata) is a popular plant with a height of more than 2 m, its garden form with double spherical golden-yellow inflorescences is known everywhere- 'Golden Ball'. This is a densely branching bush, often forming real thickets (rhizomes grow widely). The leaves are dissected, shiny, round-arm-shaped. Blooms in July-October.

Cultivation

The described species are used for planting in mixborders and groups on lawns, alpine slides, and as flowers for cutting. The ideal soil for growing is loamy slightly alkaline, with good water retention capacity. Plants are planted at a distance of 40-60 cm from each other, depending on the species, usually in spring. Previously, organic fertilizers are applied to the soil. In autumn, once every 1-2 years, it is recommended to mulch the soil with suitable organic substances.

Location

Rudbeckia should be planted in the open sun so that the plants do not stretch out.

Temperature

Perennial species are stable and easily tolerate winter (temperatures up to -15 °C). Plants do not suffer from high summer temperatures.

Watering

Plants are regularly watered in the spring-summer period and immediately after planting in a permanent place in the garden.

Reproduction

Some cultivars, such as perennials with variegated foliage, are propagated by dividing the bush in autumn (in cold climates) or in spring, immediately planting the resulting parts in the ground. It should be divided every 3-4 years. A more common method is sowing seeds, which is how all annual species and most perennials propagate. Seeds are sown in April in greenhouses; seedlings are unpicked and planted in the ground at the end of spring frosts.

Some cultivars, such as perennials with variegated foliage, are propagated by dividing the bush in autumn (in cold climates) or in spring, immediately planting the resulting parts in the ground. It should be divided every 3-4 years.

A more common method is sowing seeds, which is how all annual species and most perennials propagate. Seeds are sown in April in greenhouses; seedlings are unpicked and planted in the ground at the end of spring frosts.

Diseases

Powdery mildew, which is manifested by a whitish mold that covers the leaves, is eliminated by treatment with sulfur preparations. Some fungi cause leaf spots and yellowing, while others cause root rot. Infections on the leaves are eliminated with the help of preparations based on tsineb. And the appearance of root rot is avoided by observing the rules of cultivation - they make sure that water does not stagnate in the soil. Sometimes the underside of the leaves is covered with rust in the form of yellowish, and then brown pustules. It is recommended to treat plants with fungicides. Of the pests, rudbeckia is affected by aphids. Perform the processing special insecticides.

Acquisition

If you are not going to grow only rudbeckia, then you do not need to engage in sowing, but it is better to buy seedlings in cellular containers in flower nurseries and horticultural centers in early spring. Choose compact, bushy plants.