Rudbeckia (Rudbeckia Hirta Orange Fudge, chocolate brown centre and orange petal tips) - What a show stopper! Easily grow Rudbeckia Hirta seeds to bring a colourful display to your border, containers, or even in mass groupings. Rudbeckia flowers reach up to five inches across in some phenomenally beautiful chocolate orange shades. Rudbeckia flowers are great for cutting as they have strong stems that are long enough to arrange nicely in the vase. Rudbeckia grows quickly and blooms heavily from flower seed sown the same year.

SOWING:

Sow indoor: March

Plant out: May

Season: Biennial

Height: 50cm (20 inches)

Bloom Season: July to October

Environment: Full sun

Soil Type: Any soils that are not too dry, pH 5.8 - 6.8

Temperature: 21C (70F)

Average Germ Time: 7 - 30 days

Depth: Do not cover the seed but press into the soil

Sowing Rate: 1/2 ounce per 1,000 square feet or 2 pounds per acre

Plant Spacing: 20cm (8 inches)

Sow Rudbeckia seeds outdoors in the spring after the danger of frost has passed. Prepare soil by loosening the top 1 - 2 inches and removing any weeds. Sow the Rudbeckia Hirta seeds into the loosened soil and rake in. Walk over the area to gently press the flower seeds into the soil. Keep the Rudbeckia flower seeds moist until germination. The Rudbeckia plants transplant well and should be spaced 30cm (12 - 15 inches) apart. The Rudbeckia plants form a clump that will reach 30cm (11 inches) in width or more. Rudbeckia Flower Care: Deadheading prolongs the bloom season, but Rudbeckia will re-seed themselves readily if you leave a few blooms to go to seed. Watch for Rudbeckia Hirta seedlings in subsequent years.