(rud-BEK-ee-a  la-sin-ee-AY-tuh)

General Information:

Rudbeckia laciniata ‘Herbstsonne' ’is a huge plant that is perfect for the back of a perennial bed. It flowers in late summer providing a great splash of yellow for a long time. Unlike your typical yellow daisy it is quite unique with its large flared-back petals.

Rudbeckia laciniata ‘Herbstsonne':photo by Robert Pavlis

The plant is usually listed as R. laciniata, but also as R. nitida, and some experts think it is a hybrid between the two. The Royal Horticultural Society names it R. laciniata and has given it the Award of Garden Merit.

Herbstsonne is German and means autumn sun, explaining why some people incorrectly call this Rudbeckia ‘Autumn Sun’. It also has the common name of cutleaf coneflower which is also used for other forms of R. laciniata.

Rudbeckia laciniata ‘Herbstsonne:photo by Robert Pavlis

Except for cutting old stems back in spring, this plant requires no maintenance and the clump spreads slowly.

Life Cycle: perennial

Height: 200cm (7 ft)

Bloom Time: early fall

Natural Range: North America (R. laciniata)

Habitat: wet sites along stream banks (R. laciniata)

Synonyms:  none

Cultivation:

Light: full sun

Soil: average

Water: average to moist

USDA Hardiness Zone: 3 - 9

Propagation: seed, division

Seedex availability (ORG&HPS annual Seed Exchange): uncommon