Rudbeckia laciniata ‘Herbstsonne’ ’is a huge plant that is perfect for the back of a perennial bed. It flowers in late summer providing a great splash of yellow for a long time. Unlike your typical yellow daisy it is quite unique with its large flared-back petals.
The plant is usually listed as R. laciniata, but also as R. nitida, and some experts think it is a hybrid between the two. The Royal Horticultural Society names it R. laciniata and has given it the Award of Garden Merit.
Herbstsonne is German and means autumn sun, explaining why some people incorrectly call it Rudbeckia ‘Autumn Sun’. It also has the common name of cutleaf coneflower which is also used for other forms of R. laciniata.
Except for cutting old stems back in spring, this plant requires no maintenance and the clump spreads slowly.
Rudbeckia laciniata ‘Herbstsonne’
(rud-BEK-ee-a la-sin-ee-AY-tuh)
Life Cycle: perennial
Height: 200cm (7 ft)
Bloom Time: early fall
Natural Range: North America (R. laciniata)
Habitat: wet sites along stream banks (R. laciniata)
Synonyms: none
Cultivation of Rudbeckia laciniata ‘Herbstsonne’:
Light: full sun
Soil: average
Water: average to moist
USDA Hardiness Zone: 3 – 9
Propagation: seed, division
