2023 Perennial Plant of the Year

RUDBECKIA AMERICAN GOLD RUSH

Rudbeckia is more commonly called Black-Eyed Susan. The Perennial Plant Association chooses a perennial to honor each year that is suitable for a wide range of growing climates, requires low maintenance, have multi-season interests, and is relatively pest and disease free. To me, this variety of Black Eyed Susan fits the PPA criteria to a T.

All rudbeckias are in the Daisy family and produce flowers with raised and dark conical centers. One of the earliest known varieties of Rudbeckia is Goldstrum. I know I had Goldstrum planted along my driveway at my other house. I love this perennial, and so do our native friends. Rudbeckia is a known perennial essential to native birds, bees, and butterflies to survive and thrive.

Rudbeckia is a very hardy (Zones 3 to 9) herbaceous perennial that loves to be planted in full sun that comes into flower from July through September. As I mentioned, it will attract bees, birds, and butterflies to its flower. All rudbeckias are low maintenance, deer resistant, and drought tolerant.

Now, more specifically to American Gold Rush, this particular variety is a more compact grower (2 feet by 2 feet) with more narrow leaves and an abundance of long-blooming gold flowers.

As for perennials in general—we have an event at the Great Big Greenhouse Saturday, March 25th, that we call COFFEE WITH DOUG. Our special guest will be Sandy McDougle with SANDY’S PLANTS. What a treat it is to have Sandy here for you to learn about perennials as we all get pumped up with her enthusiasm and passion for perennials. This is perfect timing as we all get geared up for spring planting.

PLANT A LITTLE HAPPINESS!!!!!!!!!!

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