RUDBECKIA ORCHARD SUNSET

There’s something irresistibly charming about Orchard Sunset with soft nostalgic tones which feel quietly luxurious. The rich, berry reds together with warm apricots, honeyed ambers, and soft, smoky rose add to the tapestry of colour reminiscent of a late summer orchard.

These long flowering, easy to grow Rudbeckia, are wonderfully resilient to heat and dry spells where they create a border that feels full and glowing from midsummer until the first frosts, drawing in bees and butterflies while providing armfuls of blooms for cutting. Whether planted in generous drifts or tucked among grasses and perennials, this blend brings a whisper of orchard magic to any summer garden. 24".  HHA

Rudbeckia, or Black-Eyed Susan, is a classic Indian Summer plant, flowering from July and continuing to provide glowing colour into October and even November. The beautiful daisy like flowers, produced on tall erect stems with dark strongly contrasting centres, last well as cut flowers and look stunning planted in en-masse in a border.

Sow indoors, in trays, covering with ¼ of an inch of compost between February and April for best results. Germination usually takes 14 to 21 days at 15-20°C (60-68°F)

Once the seedlings are about 2 to 3 inches tall, transplant them into individual 4 inch pots.  Always hold and handle by a leaf, never by the stem. Grow on in cooler, but not cold conditions. Gradually acclimatise the young plants to outside conditions, avoiding frost, before planting out into well-drained soil towards the end of May or early June, spacing around 30cm (12") apart.

Dead-head regularly