Unpack bare roots or rhizomes on arrival and plant them within a week. Until then, keep them somewhere cool and ensure the roots remain slightly moist, never wet.
Out of season
A flower without petals – now there’s a curious concept! But Rudbeckia occidentalis 'Black Beauty' shows us that you can still have plenty of theatrics, excitement and all-round spectacular showmanship, all without a single petal – who would have though it! Instead, light green bracts form a starry ruff around a large, cone-shaped flowerhead, in the deepest velvety black. As the tiny florets open up one by one, from the bottom up - a golden ‘wedding ring’ of pollen forms around it, creating an eye-catching contrast that won’t just attract pollinators, but plenty of admiring gazes too!
As one of the most unusual varieties out there, Rudbeckia occidentalis 'Black Beauty' would be the perfect answer to that perennially tricky question – what do you buy the gardener who has everything? Alternatively, its tasteful neutral tones would segue perfectly into a modern, minimalist scheme. Requiring plenty of sunlight and a little more moisture than its other counterparts in the Rudbeckia genus - find a place in your garden for this peculiar character, and you’ll be rewarded with a dramatic display from late summer into autumn.
Quantity
Plant profile
Plant calendar
Remove the packaging straight away, check the compost and water thoroughly if dry. Check the plant’s hardiness before placing it outdoors. Plant into a border or permanent container within a month, choosing the position recommended for the variety. Keep the top of the root ball level with the surrounding soil, firm gently and water well.
Soak the roots in water for three to six hours immediately before planting. Keep any crown, buds or emerging shoots above the water where possible.
Pot most bare roots into 15–20cm pots filled with peat-free multipurpose compost. Large or depth-sensitive roots, including peonies, are often best planted directly into borders.
Arrange the roots naturally without bending them. Cover the roots completely, positioning the crown and buds at the depth recommended for that particular perennial.
Keep pots in a sheltered outdoor position and water whenever the compost begins to dry. Grow on until roots hold the compost together when lifted from the pot.
Plant into a suitable border or permanent container once well rooted. Add a label and water regularly throughout the first growing season while the perennial establishes.
- Botanical name
- Rudbeckia occidentalis 'Black Beauty'
- Flower colour
- Pink
- Established height
- 70cm-1m
- Established spread
- 30-50cm
- Growing skill
- Easy to grow
- Habit
-
Upright
Clump-forming - Hardiness
- Fully hardy
- Leaf colour
- Green
- Mouse resistant
- No
- Plant size
- 1
- Plant spacing
- 10 plants per m2
- Pollinator friendly
- Yes
- Position
-
Sheltered
Exposed - Rabbit resistant
- No
- Scented
- No
- Soil acidity
- Any
- Soil moisture
- Free draining
- Soil type
-
Loam
Sandy
Clay
Multipurpose compost
Loam-based compost - Suitable for
-
Large containers
Borders
Gravel gardens
Wildlife gardens
Coastal gardens
Cottage gardens
Low maintenance gardens
Cut flower gardens - Sunlight
- Full sun
- Toxicity
- No report
- Years to establish
- 1-2 years
Good for cutting
Pollinator-friendly
Thrives in full sun
Perennial
Fully hardy
Packed peat-free
Low maintenance
Attracts wildlife
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Rudbeckia 'Black Beauty' reviews
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