Rudbeckia, commonly called Black-Eyed Susan, is a popular perennial plant prized by gardeners for its long flowering season and adaptability. Of all the Rudbeckia varieties, ‘Goldsturm’ stands out with its vibrant golden-yellow petals and impressive weather resistance. This hardy plant provides a bold pop of late summer colour, along with easy care and reliability.
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Introduction
Rudbeckia Goldsturm offers tremendous value in the garden with its bright 2-3” daisy-like flowers and dark green foliage. This compact variety reaches a mature size of 24-36” tall and wide, making it suitable for the middle border.
The golden-yellow blooms appear in mid-late summer and continue flowering into the fall, providing a punch of colour when many other perennials have faded. Deadheading spent flowers encourages heavier reblooming. The black central cone adds striking contrast against the glowing petals.
This versatile Rudbeckia grows well in average moist, well-drained soil in full sun to light shade. It is drought tolerant once established and generally deer resistant. Rudbeckia Goldsturm is excellent for attracting bees, butterflies, and other pollinators.
Rudbeckia (Goldsturm): A Gardener’s Delight
Rudbeckia Goldsturm offers tremendous versatility and appeal in the garden. Here are some of its standout features:
- Glowing 2-3” golden yellow flowers from mid-summer to fall provide a bold pop of colour when many perennials have faded. The striking black cone in the centre adds drama.
- Compact and upright habit reaching 24-36” tall and wide. Works well in perennial borders, cutting gardens, and containers.
- Easy care and reliable performance. Tolerates heat, humidity, drought, and partial shade. Resistant to pests and diseases.
- Attracts bees, butterflies, and other beneficial pollinators to the garden. The daisy-like flowers provide an excellent food source.
- Long bloom period from mid-summer extending into the fall keeps the garden looking fresh. Deadheading spent blooms encourages repeat flowering.
- Versatile and hardy in zones 3-9. Grows well across most of the U.S. and southern Canada without much fuss.
With its vibrant golden blooms and easygoing nature, it’s easy to see why gardeners love Rudbeckia Goldsturm. This tough yet beautiful perennial infuses the garden with cheery colour when it’s needed most.
Planting and Care Guide for Rudbeckia (Goldsturm)
Rudbeckia Goldsturm is easy to grow when provided with full sun exposure and moderately fertile soil. Here are some tips for successfully planting and caring for this adaptable perennial:
- Planting: Plant in spring after the last frost. Choose a location with full sun to light shade and fertile, well-drained soil. Space plants 18-24” apart. Dig a hole twice as wide and deep as the root ball. Place in the hole, backfill, and water.
- Soil: Prefers moist, well-drained soil but is tolerant of different soil types. Average garden soil amended with compost works well. Avoid wet, poorly drained sites.
- Sun: Full sun is ideal, but plants tolerate partial shade. At least 6 hours of direct sun is recommended for best flowering.
- Watering: Drought tolerant once established, but grows best with moderate watering of 1” per week. Avoid overwatering.
- Fertilizer: Apply a balanced fertilizer in spring. Top dress with compost in fall to encourage growth. Avoid high nitrogen fertilizers.
- Deadheading: Deadhead spent flowers to encourage continuous blooming into fall. Cut back stems to a lateral leaf or bud.
- Maintenance: Requires minimal care. Remove dead or damaged growth in spring. Divide congested clumps every 2-3 years.
- Hardiness: Cold hardy in zones 3-9. Tolerates winter temperatures as low as -30F when established. Provide winter mulch in colder climates.
By providing the right growing conditions, Rudbeckia Goldsturm delivers outstanding performance and colour in the garden. It’s an easy yet dramatic choice for many garden settings.
Rudbeckia (Goldsturm): A Versatile Garden Companion
A classic perennial, Rudbeckia Goldsturm partners well with almost any garden style from cottage gardens to modern landscapes. Here are some ideas for incorporating this hardy plant:
- Create a bold mass planting for dramatic colour impact. The golden-yellow flowers really pop against a backdrop of darker greens or purples.
- Use as a cheerful accent in perennial or mixed borders. Combine with Russian sage, coneflowers, sedum, asters, and grasses.
- Underplant with catmint, coral bells, lady’s mantle or other lower growing perennials. This highlights the flowers.
- Allow some plants to self-seed for a naturalized look. The ample seeds ensure new Black-eyed Susan plants each season.
- Feature in containers on patios, porches, and decks. Combine with annuals like petunias, marigolds, or verbena.
- Plant in informal drifts along pathways, stone walls, and other hardscapes. Provides a shot of late summer colour.
- Attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds by planting en masse. The nectar-rich flowers are a pollinator favourite.
- Cut stems for fresh flower arrangements. The golden blooms and dark centres add drama indoors.
Rudbeckia Goldsturm is versatile enough to enhance any garden setting. Use it as an anchor plant, thriller, or pollinator attractor. The glowing colour lasts for months.
Rudbeckia (Goldsturm): FAQs
Rudbeckia Goldsturm is an easy perennial for both beginner and expert gardeners. Here are answers to some frequently asked questions:
Q. How big does Rudbeckia Goldsturm get?
This is a compact variety, reaching 24-36” tall and wide at maturity. It works nicely in perennial borders without crowding its neighbours.
Q. What conditions does Rudbeckia Goldsturm prefer?
It thrives in full sun to light shade and moist, well-drained soil. Some drought tolerance once established. Avoid soggy, poorly drained sites.
Q. When does Rudbeckia Goldsturm bloom?
Flowering begins in mid-late summer and lasts well into fall. Deadheading spent blooms extends the season.
Q. Does Rudbeckia Goldsturm spread?
It tends to stay in a tidy clump, not aggressively spreading. However, some self-seeding occurs.
Q. What are some common problems?
Rudbeckia Goldsturm is pest and disease resistant. Potential issues are powdery mildew, leaf spot, rust, and aster yellows. Improve air circulation and avoid overhead watering to prevent disease. Treat affected plants with neem oil.
Q. How do I divide Rudbeckia Goldsturm?
Divide every 2-3 years in spring when new growth appears. Use a shovel to split the plant into several pieces, ensuring each division has roots and shoots. Replant divisions 18-24” apart.
Q. Is Rudbeckia Goldsturm deer resistant?
It is generally left alone by deer and rabbits due to its coarse texture and bitter taste. Not guaranteed deer proof, but holds up better than many perennials.
Conclusion
With its vibrant golden-yellow flowers and easy care nature, Rudbeckia Goldsturm is highly recommended for gardens across many regions. This compact, hardy perennial provides cheerful colour from mid-summer into fall when most other plants have faded. The adaptability and pest resistance also make it a great choice for beginner and expert gardeners alike.
For those looking to add late season drama in borders, beds, containers or any sunny spot, be sure to consider Rudbeckia Goldsturm. The glowing flowers attract pollinators while requiring minimal maintenance.
