Rudbeckia 'Cherry Brandy', aka Rudbeckia hirta 'Cherry Brandy'
Common name: Black-eyed Susan, coneflower
Rudbeckia is a plant genus in the composite or sunflower family (Asteraceae). This genus has about 25 species, all native to North America. Rudbeckia flowers are daisy-like, and many have showy yellow or gold petals around a dark centre cone. The flowers bloom from mid-summer into autumn.
Rudbeckia 'Cherry Brandy', a short-lived perennial, often classified as an annual, is noted for its unique colour. It is the world's first Rudbeckia with red blooms. The cherry-red, daisy-like flowers, which can be 7 to 10 centimetres (3 to 4 inches) across, have dark-chocolate centre cones. These flowers bloom from mid-summer into fall and are attractive to bees and butterflies. Spent flowers, if deadheaded, will encourage more blooms. Birds love their seed heads so save some for them to enjoy in winter. The leaves are medium-green, lance-shaped, and covered in coarse, rough hairs, thus the epithet hirta which means "hairy." R. 'Cherry Brandy' is low maintenance and thrives in sunny, evenly moist, well-drained soil.
The genus name honours Olof Rudbeck, a Swedish botanist and founder of the Uppsala Botanic Garden in Sweden.
Rudbeckia 'Cherry Brandy' can be found in Bed 55A near the Dragon's-Eye Pine (Pinus densiflora 'Oculus Draconis'). The photos were taken in August 2024.
Text and photos by Kumi Sutcliffe