Rudbeckia laciniata 'Goldquelle'

Rudbeckia laciniata 'Goldquelle' is a tall perennial with late flowering. The flowers are large, double, pompom-shaped, and deep yellow, with their ligules lazily drooping under their weight. It is ideal for adding warm colours in late summer.

Rudbeckia laciniata is native to North America. The 'Goldquelle' variety forms a tall perennial with an upright habit and compact, spreading growth, reaching a height of up to 90cm (35in). Its upright stems bear 12cm (5in) long leaves that gradually become smaller towards the top of the stem. They are glabrous green, rough to the touch, arranged alternately and deeply divided into 3 to 5 lobes, sometimes toothed, and elongated in shape. Towards the end of summer, from August to October, as the coolness of the late summer approaches, long floral ligules will unfold to expose large, solitary, deep yellow pompom-like flowers, which will lazily bend their stem. A new explosion of colours in the garden after a dry summer.

Rudbeckia laciniata 'Goldquelle' is easy to grow. With fast growth and good hardiness (-30°C (-22°F)), it is not vulnerable to diseases and pests. Only slugs may attack the young shoots. It prefers ordinary, moist, well-drained soils, but can also tolerate poor soil conditions, as long as some freshness is provided. Sunny exposures are ideal for beautiful flowering and showcasing the color of the flowers.

It can be used on slopes, as a standalone plant or in mass plantings, alongside dahlias, goldenrods, stipas, and tall autumn asters. An association of asters, rudbeckias, and grasses brings a sense of light roundness to the planting bed.