Rudbeckia hirta Toto

Originally from the centre of the United States, the Rudbeckia hirta has the synonym Rudbeckia gloriosa.

The Rudbeckia Rustic Dwarf 'Toto' 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 self-seeds quite easily.

Also known as Rudbeckia gloriosa 'Toto', it stands out for its very small size of 25 cm (10in), much shorter than other varieties of the species (which reach 100cm (39in)).

The qualities of this variety have been rewarded with the "Garden Merit" from the Royal Horticultural Society.

The Rudbeckia 'Toto' flowers are large solitary marguerite (heads) with a prominent almost black brown centre and a golden yellow corolla. The long petals regularly arranged around the heart of the flower give it a diameter ranging from 8 to 10 cm (3 to 4in). The many flowers, renewing from July to October, form an impressive mass. Its small size allows it to be grown in pots and borders. Despite its short stems, a bed of Rudbeckia Toto provides a source of fresh flowers for making small bouquets.

At the end of the summer season, the yellow petals fade and fall, while the centre of the flowers dries and becomes woody. The flowers can then be picked and incorporated into a dried bouquet.

The foliage consists of a clump of lanceolate basal leaves, toothed, dark green, 5 to 10 cm (2 to 4in) long, which rise robust and branched flowering stems. The stems bear narrower, rather oval-shaped cauline leaves.

Hardy, Rudbeckia hirta Toto likes sunny or semi-shaded locations. It prefers a rich, heavy, and moist soil, but above all, well-drained. This variety is particularly resistant to rainy weather.

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 hearts of the dried flowers.