Such a cheery face! How could you not love this bright as sunshine flower? The blossoms of Rudbeckia 'Indian Summer' have just started blooming in my garden!
This sun-loving plant sports bright blooms 3-5" in size, and each blossom lasts for many weeks. They keep on blooming and brightening up the garden all summer long!
The centers start out smooth and reddish, and become softer and dark brown after the stamens open.
Bumblebees love to perch and drink nectar from these happy plants, and they help to spread the pollen.
This variety is known to move about the garden, but doesn't form dense colonies like other Black-eyed Susans (Rudbeckia species).
In my garden, my plants stayed in the same place for a couple of years, but they didn't make it through this last winter.
However they have reseeded and relocated themselves elsewhere in my garden, and where they are blooming now works beautifully! I couldn't have done a better job myself!
I enjoy seeing their bright faces when I walk by my garden. Their bright color, large flower size and each flower's longevity in the garden make this a perennial not to be without!
Here are the facts:
Scientific name: Rudbeckia hirta 'Indian Summer'Common name: Black-eyed Susan
Family: Asteraceae
Zone: 3-7
Light requirements: Full Sun
Height: 2-3'
Spread: 1-2'
Bloom time: June thru frost
Tolerant: Deer, drought and clay soil
Here's a picture of 'Indian Summer' in my garden last year, blooming with my Star-gazer lilies and Summer Phlox. Isn't this a lovely palette of color?