Black-eyed susan ‘American Gold Rush’
* Common name: Black-eyed susan ‘American Gold Rush’
Photo credit: Intrinsic Perennials
* Botanical name: Rudbeckia x ‘American Gold Rush’
* What it is: Black-eyed susan is a long-time popular perennial, but the most common variety, ‘Goldsturm,’ has become increasingly prone to a fungal disease (Septoria) that turns the leaves black. ‘American Gold Rush’ is a 2016 introduction that’s both resistant to disease but showier and heavier blooming than ‘Goldsturm.’ Large flowers have curved, golden petals around a central black cone. Blooms July through September.
* Size: 22 inches tall and slightly wider. Space 2 to 2½ feet apart.
* Where to use: Perennial borders, cut-flower gardens, south- or west-facing foundations, or any sunny bed or bank. Full sun yields best bloom.
* Care: Keep damp the first season, then water usually is not needed. Scatter an organic granular fertilizer formulated for flowers over the bed in early spring. Snip off flower stems after bloom to encourage longer bloom and to neaten the plant. Cut back foliage to ground at the end of winter. Divide at the same time, if needed.
* Great partner: Red switchgrass or Indian grass makes a good native-grass textural contrast. Red mums, red daylilies, or gaillardia are good perennial partners.