Rudbeckia hirta 'Sahara'

Semi-double and double velvety blooms in subtle shades of pale cappuccino, deep caramel, copper and dusty raspberry and everything in between. Rudbeckia hirta 'Sahara' produces the most spectacular blooms in late summer, coming to its peak just as others are starting to fade. These exquisite blooms capture the hues of a summer sunset.

Considered by many gardeners as the most complete border flower, the Rudbeckia certainly ticks all the boxes. The robust plants have outstanding garden performance, the flowers are produced en masse and are very long lasting, putting on a fantastic display well into autumn.
The blooms average 12cm (5in) in diameter with some up to 18cm (7in), are carried on long stems and are excellent for cutting.
Expect an eventual height and spread of around 60cm x 40cm (24in x 16in). Flower arrangers will find that the attractive blooms of this variety are produced on strong stems and last for a long time in water.

Triumphing over heat and poor soils, these versatile coneflowers look stunning when planted beds, large patio containers, or as sweeping drifts in herbaceous borders. Make sure you deadhead the flowers regularly to ensure an extended show.
Rudbeckia are easily propagated by seed and generally considered to be hardy and disease-free plants. They are very easy to grow and are largely trouble free, so an ideal choice for the beginner gardener. They make the most compact plants and can be used as eye-catching bedding or in containers, and make useful border fillers, too. They are reliable and grow quickly, so perfect for filling unexpected gaps in the garden display or for covering the ground in a new garden. They are also perfect for teaming with grasses to create the popular prairie look in your summer borders.
The flowers are attractive to pollinating insects and the seed heads are attractive to birds, especially finches and add interest to the winter garden.

Sowing: Sow in late winter to late spring
Sow seeds directly where they are to flower two weeks before the last expected frosts in your area (usually around May) or give them a head start, planting indoors six to eight weeks before planting outdoors out.
The seeds need light to germinate, so just press them into the soil surface or use a little vermiculite - don't bury them.

Sowing Indoors: Late February to early April
Seeds are best sown indoors in pots or trays containing good seed compost. ‘Just cover’ the seed with vermiculite and place in a propagator or warm place maintaining an optimum temperature of 18 to 20°C (65 to 70°F) Keep the compost moist but not wet at all times. Germination should occur between 10 to15 days.
Thin to 7.5cm (3in) pots when seedlings have developed two proper leaves and are large enough to handle. Remember to handle the seedling by the leaves only, supporting the weight of the seedling under the roots as you transplant.
Grow on and harden off by gradually acclimating to outdoor conditions for 10 to 15 days before planting out into their permanent positions when temperatures start to rise.
Plants transplant well and should be spaced 30 to 45cm (12 to 15in) apart

Sowing Direct: Late April to early June
Sow thinly, 3mm (1/8in) deep in drills 30cm (12in) apart in well-cultivated soil which has been raked to a fine tilth. Water ground regularly, especially in dry periods. When large enough to handle, thin out seedlings so that they are finally 30 to 45cm (12 to 15in) apart .

Cultivation:
The trick with Rudbeckia is to make sure it goes in soil which does not bake dry or the whole plant will collapse. A semi-shady position will help if the soil does tend to dry out in summer, as will a thick mulch, applied after a night of heavy rain.
To extend flowering and prevent self-sowing, deadhead the spent flowers, this also makes for a tidier-looking plant. However, there are advantages if the old flowers are left alone, the cones have ornamental appeal after the petals have dropped, birds enjoy the seeds in the winter; and you will enjoy the benefits of seedlings next spring.

Plant Uses:
Cottage/Informal Garden, Flower Arranging, Pots and Containers, Flowers Borders and Beds. Prairie planting. Drought tolerant. Wildlife Gardens.

Origin:
These excellent herbaceous mostly perennial plants (some annual or biennial) are originally from the USA. They include around 20 species, with four varieties of Rudbeckia hirta:

• Rudbeckia hirta var. angustifolia. Southeastern United States (South Carolina to Texas).
• Rudbeckia hirta var. floridana. Florida, endemic.
• Rudbeckia hirta var. hirta. Northeastern United States (Maine to Alabama).
• Rudbeckia hirta var. pulcherrima. Widespread in most of North America (Newfoundland to British Columbia, south to Alabama and New Mexico; naturalised Washington to California).

Nomenclature:
The name was given by Carolus Linnaeus in honour of his teacher at Uppsala University in Sweden, Professor Olof Rudbeck the Younger (1660-1740), (aka Olaus Rudbeckius), and his father, Professor Olof Rudbeck the Elder (1630-1702), both of whom were botanists. It is pronounced rud-BEK-ee-a.
The species name hirta comes from the Latin hirsutus meaning ‘covered in hair’ and refers to the trichomes (hairs) occurring on leaves and stems.
Rudbeckia is one of at least four genera within the flowering plant family Asteraceae whose members are commonly known as coneflowers; the others are Echinacea, Dracopis and Ratibida.