Rudbeckia hirta 'Prairie Sun'

The flowers start to bloom in mid-summer and will continue through to autumn with regular dead heading. Cut R. hirta species back hard after first flowering and apply a liquid feed to promote a second flush.

Rudbeckia will grow in any well cultivated and well drained garden soil in an open and sunny site. All perennial species and taller annual species require staking in exposed positions. Plant perennial varieties in late autumn or spring. On dry soils, mulch with peat or decayed manure early in spring unless height restriction of taller varieties is wanted.

Sow seed for annual species in pots during early to mid-spring or in late summer and place in a cold frame. Overwinter in a frame and plant out in flowering site in early summer.