Rudbeckia 'Goldblitz'

Rudbeckia 'Goldblitz': Lightning-Fast Gold in Year One

Golden-yellow daisies with near-black cones, coming in fast and hard like a linebacker who spotted the quarterback. 'Goldblitz' does not ease into summer. FULL CONTACT FLOWER POWER.

Plant Characteristics:

• Botanical Name: Rudbeckia fulgida var. sullivantii 'Goldblitz'
• Common Name: Black-eyed Susan, orange coneflower
• Height: 60–70 cm (24–28 in)
• Spread: 35–45 cm (14–18 in)
• Flowers: Golden-yellow daisies with deep brown to black cones, about 8–10 cm (3–4 in) across
• Bloom Time: Early summer to fall (June to September)
• Foliage: Deep green, lance-shaped leaves in a mounded clump
• Features: Seed heads feed goldfinches, Fleuroselect Gold Medal winner

Where to Plant: Mass it in sunny borders, pollinator gardens and meadow-style plantings, or use it to fill gaps in the middle of a bed. It's very cold hardy, so it's a reliable choice even in colder gardens around Ottawa and Montreal.

Companion Plants: Plant 'Goldblitz' in a sunny or part-shade bed with a raspberry peony, red lupines and blue cranesbill. Paeonia 'Raspberry Sundae' opens pink and cream bomb peonies at 90 cm in May and June. Lupinus 'Gallery Red' adds red lupine spikes at 45 to 60 cm in June and July. Geranium 'Johnson's Blue' brings lavender-blue cranesbill at 30 to 60 cm in June and July. Sesleria autumnalis adds chartreuse tufts at 30 to 45 cm.

Plant Care: Plant in full sun to part sun, in average, well-drained soil. Water regularly in the first season. Once it's established it copes with dry spells. Deadhead early blooms to tidy the plant, but leave the late-season seed heads for birds and winter interest. Cut back in early spring. It spreads slowly by short rhizomes and may self-seed. Divide every three to four years in spring to keep it vigorous and in its space.

History: 'Goldblitz' was developed for Ball Seed's PanAmerican Seed line as a seed-grown alternative to 'Goldsturm' that flowers in its first year, and it won a Fleuroselect Gold Medal. "Blitz" is German for lightning, a fitting name for a plant that wants to get blooming fast.

Final Thoughts: Drought tolerant, deer resistant and the goldfinches will thank you for the seed heads. PUT IT IN THE STARTING LINEUP.