Rudbeckia hirta Cappuccino

The Rudbeckia 'Cappuccino' is a perennial plant cultivated as an annual or biennial, known for its ease of cultivation. In the garden, it will not last more than 2 to 3 years, but it easily self-seeds.
Originally from the central United States, the Rudbeckia hirta is also known as Rudbeckia gloriosa.

The Rudbeckia gloriosa 'Cappuccino is distinguished by its medium height of 80cm (32in), slightly shorter than other varieties of the species (which reach 100cm (39in)), and its abundant flowering in orange-yellow with bronze reflections, reminiscent of the colour of coffee.

The foliage consists of a tuft of basal lanceolate leaves, toothed, dark green, 5 to 10 cm (2 to 4in) long, from which robust and branched floral stems emerge. The stems bear narrower and somewhat oval-shaped cauline leaves.

The flowers of rudbeckias are large solitary daisies (heads) with a prominent black centre and an orange-yellow corolla with bronze reflections, marked with a darker disk in the centre. The long petals regularly arranged around the flower's heart give it a diameter of about 15 cm (6in). The large number of flowers, renewing from July to October, forms a wave-like mass of flowers swaying in the wind. This mass provides a source of fresh flowers for making bouquets.

At the end of the summer season, the orange-yellow petals fade and fall off, while the centre of the flowers dries and becomes woody. Once again, the flowers can be picked and incorporated into a dried bouquet.

Hardy, the Rudbeckia hirta Cappuccino prefers sunny or partially shaded locations. It prefers a rich, heavy, and moist soil, but above all, well-drained.

An ecological asset: Throughout the summer, the nectar-rich flowers of Rudbeckias attract pollinating insects and butterflies to your garden. It's a great way to improve your garden's ecosystem and promote fruit and vegetable production in your garden. In autumn, you can admire the constant ballet of birds that come to feed on the mature seeds they find in the dried flower heads.