'Cherokee Sunset' Rudbeckia
submitted by Phyllis Petcoff
AAS Flower Award Winner (Half Hardy
Annual)
This Rudbeckia hirta contains a blend of sunset colors; yellow, orange,
bronze, mahogany and shades of these colors. The 3 to 4-1/2 inch flowers are
double or semi-double and long lasting as cut flowers. Best when grown in full
sun, 'Cherokee Sunset' plants are about 24 to 30 inches tall, spreading about a
foot. Many plants are self-supporting and others may need staking. 'Cherokee
Sunset' offers gardeners a blend of autumn colors and late season garden
performance. Flowering profusely the first year, 'Cherokee Sunset' may
over-winter in northern gardens. The owner of these particular flowers
lives in Ballard County and treats them as an annual. She reseeds annually
to ensure plenty of colorful blooms.
From Thompson & Morgan:
Description: As a result of over 10 years breeding and selection by Thompson
&Morgan
flower breeders, Rudbeckia Cherokee SunsetT was born. Never before has there
been such a spectacular range of colors of fully double to semi-double
Rudbeckia, with large 3 - 4 inch blooms. Shades of golden yellow, orange, bronze
and mahogany make up this stunning blend that resembles the attractive
color spectrum of an Indian Sunset. Vigorous, free branching plants, with
strong stems, which flower over a long period from mid summer to early
autumn. Cherokee SunsetT is outstanding for adding height, color and
interest to beds, borders and large containers. Makes an impressive cut
flower. The prestigious All America Selection award is presented to
varieties that have outstanding garden performance, quality blooms, a unique
color range and that show a
significant improvement over existing varieties of the species.
Sowing Instructions: Germinate at 20-30C (68-86F) on the surface of a good
free draining, damp seed compost. Apply a very fine sprinkling of compost or
vermiculite, but do not cover the seed completely. Place in a propagator or
seal container inside a polythene bag until after germination which usually
takes 10-21 days. Do not exclude light at any stage, as this helps
germination.
Growing Instructions: Transplant, when large enough to handle into 7.5cm
(3in) pots. Grow on in cooler conditions for 10-15 days before planting out
after all risk of frost, 30cm(12in) apart.
Purchase
Area Master Gardener Association
