Rudbeckia hirta Sunbeckia Ophelia

The Rudbeckia 'Sunbeckia Ophelia' produces hundreds of large, golden yellow daisy-like flowers in a single season, which bloom as simple collars around a green centre. The Sunbeckia series promises large, long-lasting flowers on the stem. Of relatively short stature, this sunny variety is as beautiful in a pot as it is in a flower bed. Easy to grow as an annual, this short-lived perennial quickly forms a clump that easily multiplies through self-seeding. It prefers full sun and can tolerate ordinary, rather fertile soil that is occasionally moist to dry.

The annual Rudbeckia 'Sunbeckia Ophelia' belongs to the aster family. It is a cultivar derived from Rudbeckia hirta, a short-lived perennial species native to the U.S.A. In nature, this plant grows in meadows, pastures, and cultivated fields where it is considered a weed. It is an herbaceous plant that develops mostly unbranched stems, covered with large, stiff, upright hairs that are slightly rough to the touch. The "Sunbeckia Ophelia" selection reaches a height of 40 to 60 cm (16 to 24in), with a spread of 40 cm (16in). The plant has an upright and bushy habit. The flowers bloom from July to October. Each head, 10 to 12 cm (4 to 5in) wide, consists of a flattened and rounded cone-shaped central disk in green-yellow colour. This cone is surrounded at the base by a collar of ligulate flowers in a beautiful golden yellow colour. The basal leaves are ovate and pointed (10 cm (4in) long), with toothed edges, appearing in tufts. The cauline leaves are smaller and sessile (without petioles) with a rounded to cordate base; their colour is a bright light green.

Both an architectural plant and an accent plant, the Rudbeckia quickly structures your flower beds and thrives in flower pots thanks to its compact and rounded habit, offering a beautiful and abundant flowering until late in the season. It can be accompanied by plants with light blooms such as perennial flax, evening primroses (oenothera versicolor Sunset Boulevard), nemesias, or lobelias in flower pots. In a country garden, this plant can well accompany inulas, Ammi visnaga, ornamental carrots, and tall thistles. Its sunny flowers are also enhanced by the graphic design of tall miscanthus. It is also a perfect flower for making homemade bouquets.

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

Note: Please be aware that our young plug plants are professional products intended 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 then placing them outdoors once the risk of frost has been definitively eliminated.