Description

A must-have, first-year-blooming perennial, 'Cherokee Sunset' boasts colors unusual in the world of rudbeckias. Over 10-years of breeding and selection resulted in toasty colors of burnt orange, yellow, gold, warm red, and bronze, all found on each 3″-5″ double or semi-double bloom. Once they start blooming in early summer, the sunset show continues until frost, to the delight of bees and butterflies; left standing in the fall, the seed cones attract birds. Sturdy stems are a plus for cut-flower arrangements. An All-America Selections award winner. Perennial in USDA zones 9–10. Deer resistant.

Botanical Name: Rudbeckia hirta
Family: Asteraceae
Native: North America
Hardiness: Perennial in USDA zones 9–10, but usually treated as an annual. May self-sow.
Plant Dimensions: 24″–30″ tall, 18″ wide
Variety Information: 3″–5″ double and semi-double blooms in colors of burnt orange, yellow, gold, warm red, and bronze
Exposure: Full Sun
Bloom Period: Blooms summer to frost
Attributes: Attracts Birds, Attracts Pollinators, Cut Flower

When to Sow Outside: 2 to 4 weeks before your average last frost date.
When to Start Inside: RECOMMENDED. 8 to 10 weeks before your average last frost date for first year blooms.
Days to Emerge: 10 – 15 Days
Seed Depth: Press into surface
Seed Spacing: A group of 3 seeds every 18″
Thinning: When 1″ – 2″ tall, thin to 1 every 18″

Special Care: Deadhead (remove spent blossoms) to extend the blooming period. In USDA hardiness zones 9 and warmer, divide plants every 2 to 3 years in the spring before plants start growing.

20 seeds.