Rudbeckia hirta Sunbeckia® 'Graffiti Cherry' – 'Graffiti Cherry' Black-Eyed Susan

Brighten your garden displays with the spectacular Sunbeckia Graffiti Cherry Black-Eyed Susan. This horticultural marvel stands out with its giant, bi-coloured blooms, blending golden yellow and violet-pink tones around a deep cherry-red center. Enjoy a continuous, jaw-dropping floral show from midsummer through autumn without any pinching or deadheading required. Armed with sturdy, well-branched stems, this robust plant maintains a flawless upright habit in containers and garden beds alike, instantly becoming the star attraction of your sunny outdoor spaces. #JardineriesBotanix

Characteristics

• Foliage : Medium green leaves, coarse to the touch, lanceolate, and deciduous.
• Flowering / Stems : Extra-large, multi-layered flowers featuring a unique gradient of golden yellow and pink, enhanced by a stark, dark cherry-eye center.
• Light requirements : Requires full sun to maximize flower production and intensify the rich petal coloration.
• Habit : Bushy, compact, upright, and strongly branched.
• Growth : Fast growth rate, reaching a height of about 45 cm (18 inches) and a spread of 60 cm (24 inches).
• Soil : Thrives in a loose, organic-rich, and well-drained soil.
• Temperature : Grown as an annual due to its tender nature in cold climates (Canadian hardiness zone 7).
• Resistances : Easily tolerates intense summer heat and temporary drought once established, while showing excellent resistance to white-tailed deer, hares, and rabbits.

Use

• Types of use : Ideal for injecting bold colour into sunny flowerbeds and mixed borders, or creating a high-impact focal point in patio containers and balconies. The magnificent blooms also make superb cut flowers for summer bouquets.
• Ornamental benefits : Delivers a warm, striking colour contrast that immediately draws the eye, maintaining a dense and tidy structure all season long.

Maintenance

• Watering : Water regularly during the establishment phase and increase frequency during hot summer dry spells. Allow the soil surface to dry slightly between waterings to prevent excess moisture.
• Fertilization : Incorporate a slow-release granular fertilizer at planting time or apply a water-soluble liquid fertilizer for flowering plants every two weeks to sustain continuous bud production.
• Pruning : Snip off faded flowers to stimulate a cleaner look and encourage fresh buds, though the plant will keep blooming heavily even without intervention.
• Planting : Install after all danger of spring frost has passed, keeping an approximate 50 cm spacing. Dig a hole slightly larger than the root ball and amend the soil with high-quality compost.