This natural variety of Black-Eyed Susan is found in meadows and on roadsides in the eastern United States from New York to the Florida panhandle and west to Illinois and Mississippi. It is a lovely wildflower, hugely useful in the garden. The plant is 2-3′ high x 1.5 – 2′ wide (a little taller than R. fulgida ‘Goldsturm’), with glossy, clean foliage. ‘Fulgida’ blooms vigorously from late June into October (is longer blooming than ‘Goldsturm’) with 2-inch flower heads (smaller than ‘Goldsturm’) consisting of golden ray flowers with chocolate brown centers. It is an easy-to-grow perennial in average to dry soil, in full sun to partial shade. It is heat- and humidity-tolerant, as well as tolerant of urban conditions, and resistant to many pests. It is a vigorous grower, spreading by seeds and runners. A super-satisfactory color accent or mass planting in a meadow as it is a good cut flower, attracts all kinds of pollinators, and Goldfinches, juncos and other birds feed on the seed heads. It is easily divided in late fall or spring when it becomes full, to maintain good air circulation within the clumps.
NURSERY HOURS
Wednesday: 10-4, Thursday: 10-6, Friday – Saturday: 10-4, Sunday: 12-4
Rudbeckia fulgida ‘fulgida’
Key Info
Common Names: Autumn Black-Eyed Susan, Orange Coneflower
Family Names: Asteraceae
Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
Flower Color: Golden ray flowers, dark brown disc flowers.
Additional Info
Habit: Upright, clump-forming, rhizomatous perennial, dense with single blooms atop stiff, sturdy, occsioally branched stems. Tends to form large colonies. Persistent basal rosette which is semi-evergreen in mild climates.
Height: 2' to 3'
Spread: 1' - 2'
Soil Conditions: Average, moist well drained to dry, acid to circumneutral pH, sandy, loamy, clay.
Leaves: Shiny, medium green, lance-shaped leaves of the basal rosette with cuneate, or wedge-shaped leaf bases (a diagnostic character) and uniformly sized, sessile stem leaves.
Flowers (or reproductive structures: Sterile, golden ray flowers sorround fertile, purple-brown disc flowers to 2.5" across.
Fruit: Many nut-like, spherical seeds in the flower head.
Natural Distribution: Meadows, open woods, pastures.
USDA Hardiness Zone: 5 to 7
USDA Wetland Indicator Status in NC: FAC
Pollination: Bees, butterfliess, other insects.
Wildlife Connections: Flowers attract large numbers of native bees, butterflies, skippers and other pollinators seeking nectar and pollen; caterpillars feed on the flowers and foliage; songbirds eat the seeds. Mammalian herbivores occasionally browse the foliage.
Propagation: Division, seed.