Rudbeckia fulgida var. sullivantii Pot of Gold

The Rudbeckia fulgida 'Forever Gold' is a beautiful compact and very floriferous variety. From June to October, dozens of solar flowers, golden yellow with a black heart, are produced at the end of upright and sturdy stems. Position in full sun, in a good garden soil that is neither too dry nor too poor, and your flower beds will light up for long months!

Essential in gardens, rudbeckias belong to the Asteraceae family, just like asters, centaureas, yarrows. The species Rudbeckia fulgida, also called orange rudbeckia, originates from the prairies of the Eastern USA, where competition, full sun, and heat are present. Therefore, they are reliable and very robust plants in the garden. They produce large "sun" flowers throughout the summer, which are actually inflorescences: the peripheral flowers, yellow, attract pollinators, while the central flowers, dark, will produce the seeds. The slender clump has dark green, elongated, and pointed leaves.

The 'Forever Gold' variety is a selection that stands out for its fairly compact habit, which will not exceed 60 cm (24in) in height and width, but above all very uniform, forming a well-rounded ball. Very floriferous, it produces numerous flowers from June to October, with a diameter of about 10 cm (4in), and which are carried at the end of sturdy and branched stems.

Welcoming the 'Forever Gold' rudbeckia in your garden is not difficult: in a sunny location, a normal, properly drained garden soil, preferably limestone, will suit it perfectly. If a well-established clump can withstand drought, the flowering will be more beautiful if the soil does not dry out during the summer. Maintenance of this plant is very limited, and simply consists of removing faded flowers from time to time. However, you can also leave them for their autumnal appeal once dry, especially since they then serve as a good food source for birds.

You will achieve beautiful scenes by mixing this plant with other prairie plants, such as Asclepias tuberosa, the yellow centaurea (Centaurea macrocephala), and for a more exotic touch blend with the Kniphofia 'Pineapple Popsicle', and the tall grasses Calamagrostis 'Karl Foerster' or Panicum virgatum 'Heavy Metal'.