How to Grow Rudbeckia
'Cherry Brandy' from Seed
The first true red rudbeckia, with deep cherry petals around a near-black cone on a compact plant. A cut flower that lasts, and a winter feast for goldfinches.
'Cherry Brandy' was the first rudbeckia bred in a true red, and it is still the best of them. Deep cherry petals surround a near-black central cone, and next to the usual golds and bronzes of the genus it hardly looks related.
Plants stay compact at around half a metre, which makes it easy to fit into a border or a large pot. It cuts well, lasts in water, and if you leave the last cones standing in autumn, goldfinches will come for the seed.
Quick Facts at a Glance
Plant Type
Half-hardy annual or short-lived perennial
Sowing Time
Feb to Apr, under cover
Flowering
July to October
Position
Full sun
Height
Around 50cm
Difficulty
2 out of 5, easy
Understanding the Plant
'Cherry Brandy' is a variety of Rudbeckia hirta, the black-eyed Susan. It is grown in the UK as a half-hardy annual, sown early under cover to flower in its first summer. On well-drained ground it often survives the winter and flowers again.
The colour sets it apart. Most rudbeckias are yellow, orange or bronze; this one is a rich cherry red that deepens towards the cone. It sits well with dark dahlias and deep salvias, and it holds its own in a vase.
Leave the cones for goldfinches
Resist tidying away the last flower heads in autumn. The dark cones are full of seed, and goldfinches will strip them through the colder months. The standing stems also look good with a frost on them.
When & How to Sow
Sow under cover from February to April. The seed germinates best with light and steady warmth, so barely cover it.
For container growing
Its compact size makes it a good choice for a large pot. Use a container at least 30cm across with multipurpose compost, one plant per pot, and water regularly through summer.
Sow thinly and barely cover. Press seed onto damp seed compost, dust over a fine layer of vermiculite and keep at 18 to 21°C. Seedlings appear in 7 to 21 days.
Prick out and grow on. Move seedlings into modules once they have true leaves. Keep them bright and cool.
Plant out after frost. Harden off and plant out from mid-May to June, 30 to 40cm apart in full sun.
Growing On Tips
Full sun
Plant in full sun and free-draining soil. More sun gives more flowers and deeper colour.
Protect from slugs
Slugs love young rudbeckia. Keep an eye on new plantings for the first few weeks.
Cutting
Cut when flowers are fully open. The stems are sturdy and last well in water.
Deadhead in summer
Remove spent flowers through summer to keep buds coming, then leave the late ones to seed.
Planting partners
Pairs well with dark dahlias, deep salvias, bronze grasses and anything in wine or plum.
Wildlife
Bees and butterflies visit the flowers, and birds take the seed in autumn.
Common Problems & How to Fix Them
| Problem | Likely Cause | What to Do |
|---|---|---|
| Poor germination | Seed covered too deeply or too cold | Barely cover the seed and keep it at 18 to 21°C. |
| Young plants eaten | Slugs and snails | Protect plants after planting out until they are well established. |
| White coating on leaves | Powdery mildew | Space plants well, water at the base and remove affected leaves. |
| No flowers in the first year | Sown too late | Sow in February or March for flowers from July. |
| Pots wilting | Compost drying out | Water containers daily in hot weather. |
When to Expect Flowers
Early-sown plants flower from July and carry on until the first hard frost. Leave the final cones standing into winter.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🌱 Sow under cover | ||||||||||||
| 🪴 Plant out | ||||||||||||
| 🌸 Flowering |
Plant Specifications
The true red rudbeckia
Sow early under cover, plant out after the frosts and cut freely through summer. Leave the last cones for the goldfinches.
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