Cherokee Sunset Rubeckia
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.
Description: As a result of over 10 years breeding and selection by Thompson &Morgan flower breeders, Rudbeckia Cherokee Sunset 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 Sunset 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 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 3in pots. Grow on in cooler conditions for 10-15 days before planting out after all risk of frost, 12in apart
Purchase Area Master Gardeners Assn. 2705 Olivet Church Road, Paducah, KY 42001 270-554-9520 fax 270-554-8283 www.pamga.org