Rudbeckia hirta Giggling SmileyZ 'Rudht25'

Rudbeckia 'Giggling SmileyZ' is a hybrid variety that combines the floribundity of Rudbeckia hirta with the more perennial character of Echinacea. It is not a very tall plant, but dense and well-behaved, which produces an abundance of large bicoloured flowers between early summer and early autumn.  They bloom from June to October, at the end of sturdy stems that withstand bad weather. Not very hardy, but fast-growing, this perennial can be grown as an annual, in borders or in pots.

'Giggling SmileyZ' is a recent horticultural creation. It is a perennial plant with a winter dormant period. It forms a well-branched clump from the base, and measures around 35cm (14in) in height and 40-45cm (16-18in) in width, sometimes more. This plant does not require staking. The opposite, lanceolate leaves are olive green and covered in rough hairs. Flowering occurs from June to October, and is intensely visited by butterflies. The branching, green and hairy flower stems are topped with a 6cm (2in) wide head, with a prominent, very dark brown disc surrounded by a double row of petal-like ligules that are concave in shape. Their colour is a rather dark yellow, with each ligule spotted with mahogany red at the base. The fruit is an achene that releases seeds that birds love. This plant anchors firmly and deeply in the soil, thanks to its well-developed root system. Its cold resistance seems rather weak, estimated at - 8°C, but more research is needed.

Rudbeckia 'Giggling SmileyZ' brings a lot of dynamism and cheerfulness to even the most modest setting, on the terrace, balcony or in the garden. It is used in border plantings mixed with marigolds in warm tones (orange, red), or in the company of easy and generous annuals such as love-in-a-mist, poppies, Amaranths or Cosmos. Complete the scene by adding some ornamental grasses like Stipa tenuifolia or Carex comans Bronze Form... Splendid in border plantings, the beautiful colour of Rudbeckia also shines in fresh or dried flower arrangements. Its combination with lady's mantle and white Nemesia is superb!