Rudbeckia hirta Sunbeckia® 'Emma' – 'Emma' Black-Eyed Susan

Rudbeckia 'Emma' is part of the spectacular Sunbeckia® series, which stands out for its exceptionally large and long-lasting flowers. Treated as a high-performing annual, this plant produces an impressive quantity of brilliant yellow flowers. Despite the diversity of varieties in this line, the fundamental characteristics and care requirements remain similar, ensuring reliable performance and a garden filled with colour all summer long.

Characteristics

• Foliage: The plant forms a clump of healthy green foliage that serves as a base for the floral display.
• Flowering: It displays continuous and abundant flowering from summer until fall. The flowers, an impressive 12 cm in diameter, feature simple, vibrant yellow petals surrounding a prominent center. This center is a very bright lime green, creating a fresh and striking contrast.
• Light: It demands full sun for optimal performance, requiring 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight per day.
• Habit: It develops a bushy and compact habit, which makes it sturdy and well-proportioned for beds and containers.
• Growth: With a medium growth rate, it reaches a height of 45 to 60 cm (18-24 inches) and a spread of 30 to 90 cm (12-36 inches).
• Moisture: It requires consistently moist soil after planting to establish well.
• Soil: It thrives in fertile, well-draining soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH (6.0-7.0). Adding compost at planting time promotes its growth.
• Temperature: This plant performs admirably well during summer heat.
• Watering: Once well-established, it shows good drought tolerance, but deep and infrequent watering will encourage robust rooting.
• Resistance: It shows good resistance to powdery mildew. It attracts few pests, but watch for aphids or spider mites in hot, dry weather.

Uses

• Types of Use: Its versatile size makes it perfect for garden beds, borders, mass plantings, and large containers on the patio.
• Ornamental Features: Its huge yellow flowers with a lime-green center create an instant focal point and bring a splash of sunshine to the garden. It provides a colourful and cheerful display throughout the season.

Care

• Fertilizing: Apply a balanced fertilizer in early spring, and a second time in mid-summer to support its abundant and continuous flowering.
• Pruning: Regularly remove faded flowers (deadheading) to encourage the plant to continuously produce new blooms. No other pruning or pinching is necessary.
• Planting: Plant in the spring, after the last risk of frost. Space plants 30 to 45 cm (12-18 inches) apart to allow them to develop well.