Rudbeckia hirta Green Eyes

The Rudbeckia 'Green Eyes' is a perennial plant ephemeral 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 centre of the United States, the Rudbeckia hirta is synonymous with Rudbeckia gloriosa.

The Rudbeckia gloriosa 'Green Eyes' is distinguished by its medium size of 60/75cm (24/30in), a bit shorter than other varieties of the species (which reach 100cm (39in)) and especially by the original colour of its large daisy-like flowers with a yellow centre and olive green heart. This colour, reminiscent of the green eyes of some Irish people, is not uncommon to find this variety under the name Rudbeckia hirta 'Irish Eyes'.

The foliage consists of a tuft of lanceolate basal 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 rather oval-shaped cauline leaves.

The flowers of Rudbeckia 'Green Eyes' are large daisies (heads) solitary with a prominent green centre and a yellow corolla. The long petals regularly arranged around the heart of the flower give it a diameter ranging from 10 to 13 cm (4 to 5in). The large number of flowers, renewing from July to October, forms a mass of undulating flowers in the wind. This bed constitutes a source of fresh flowers for making bouquets.
At the end of the summer season, the yellow-orange petals fade and fall while the centre of the flowers dries and withers. Once again, the flowers can be picked and incorporated into a dried bouquet.

Hardy, the Rudbeckia hirta 'Green Eyes' likes sunny or semi-shaded locations. As for the soil, it prefers rich, heavy, and moist but, above all, well-drained soil.

An ecological asset: Throughout the summer, the nectar-rich flowers of Rudbeckias attract pollinating insects and butterflies to your garden. A good way to improve your garden's ecosystem and promote the production of fruits and vegetables 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 heart of the dried flowers.