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: Anemone 'Honorine Jobert' adds white anemones at 90 to 120 cm in September and October. Symphyotrichum laeve brings lavender asters from August to October. Monarda Sugar Buzz® 'Pink Frosting' gives pink bee balm at 35 to 40 cm in July and August. Golden rudbeckia flowers from June to September and ties the late-season colours together.

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.