Rudbeckia hirta Sunbeckia Luna

The Rudbeckia 'Sunbeckia Luna' produces hundreds of flowers in the shape of large daisies that bloom in simple collars of a rich bicolour of bright yellow and dark red, around a dark brown centre. This dazzling and well-contrasted variety is as beautiful in flower pots as it is in borders. Easy to grow as an annual, this short-lived perennial quickly forms a compact tuft that easily multiplies through spontaneous sowing. It prefers full sun and can tolerate ordinary soil, preferably fertile, occasionally moist to dry.

The annual Rudbeckia 'Sunbeckia Luna' belongs to the Asteraceae family. It is a cultivar derived from Rudbeckia hirta, a short-lived perennial species native to the USA. In nature, this plant grows in meadows, pastures, and cultivated fields where it is considered an adventive species. The Rudbeckia 'Sunbeckia Luna' is a relatively short cultivar. It is an herbaceous plant that develops mostly unbranched stems, covered with large, rigid, upright hairs that are slightly rough to the touch. Reaching 40 cm (16in) in height when in bloom, with an equivalent spread, the plant has a bushy, dense, and compact habit. The flowers bloom from June-July to October. Each head, 10 to 12 cm (4 to 5in) wide, consists of a central cone-shaped disk that is flattened and rounded, and dark brown in colour. This cone is surrounded at the base by a collar of ligulate flowers. The collar is divided into two concentric zones of different colours, with a bright yellow border surrounding a central zone of dark reddish-brown. The basal leaves are oval and pointed (10 cm (4in) long), with toothed edges, appearing in basal tufts. The cauline leaves, dark green in colour, are smaller and sessile (without petioles), with a rounded to cordate base. 

Both an architectural plant and an accent plant, the Rudbeckia quickly structures your borders and thrives in flower pots thanks to its compact and rounded habit, offering a very beautiful flowering until late in the season. Its strong presence, due to the contrasting colours, can be combined with other Rudbeckias. It can also be accompanied by plants with light flowering, such as evening primroses or crocosmias. In a countryside garden, it will keep company with inulas, nasturtiums, ornamental carrots, and thistles. Its sunny flowers are also enhanced by the graphics of pennisetum. It is also a perfect flower for making homemade bouquets.

All Rudbeckias are dye plants (especially R. hirta and R. laciniata) due to the presence of flavonols in their tissues. The inflorescences alone produce yellow-orange colours, while the whole plant provides yellow-green shades.

Note: Please be aware that our young plug plants are professional products reserved for experienced gardeners: upon receipt, transplant and store them under cover (veranda, greenhouse, cold frame) at a temperature above 14°C (57.2°F) for a few weeks before installing them outdoors once the risk of frost is definitively avoided.