Rudbeckia fulgida var. sullivantii: ‘Goldsturm’ Goldsturm Black-eyed Susan

Latin name: Rudbeckia fulgida var. sullivantii ‘Goldsturm’
Common name: Goldsturm Black-eyed Susan
Flowers: Yellow rays with black center disk¹²
Fruit: Inconspicuous¹⁰
Height & Width: 2-3’ x 1-2’¹²
Type: Herbaceous perennial¹²
Habit: Upright, clump forming¹²
Wetland indicator category**: FAC¹⁷
Texture: Coarse¹⁰
Growth rate: Medium²
Light: Full sun²
Moisture: Medium to dry¹²
Soil*: Tolerates a wide variety of soils¹²
Zones: 3-9¹²
Origin: Eastern North America, including South Carolina¹⁶
Features: The Goldsturm Black-eyed Susan features showy 2-3” wide flowers that bloom June through October^{3, 12}. In addition to being a popular and tough perennial, it is also beneficial to birds, butterflies and bees.¹⁰

Siting: Goldsturm Black-eyed Susans perform best in moist, well-drained soils and full sun.^{2, 3}

Care: Plant crown at soil level¹⁸. At planting, water the roots and surrounding area slowly and deeply. Keep soil moist until plant is established, then apply enough water to thoroughly moisten the root zone when the soil is dry or during drought. Modify water recommendations to reflect site drainage and rainfall. Apply 3” of mulch over the planted area. Do not allow mulch to touch the plant stems¹⁸. Flowers need cutting back hard once flowering has finished.²

Pests: Susceptible to many foliar diseases, especially in the humid South or when plants are crowded^{2, 3}. Clean up plants by removing dead foliage in fall. Divide clumps to avoid overcrowding.^12

This plant does not appear on the following invasive plant lists on (10/22/12): enter date searched and check the lists that were examined

X USDA SC Invasive Plant Species Web site at http://www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov/plants/main.shtml

X SC Exotic Plant Pest Council Web site at http://www.se-eppc.org/southcarolina/

Sources 1-18 found on Sources page