Rudbeckia deamii Flower (08/09/2012, Kew Garden, London)
Position: Full sun to partial shade
Flowering period: Late summer to early autumn
Soil: Moist, well drained
Eventual Height: 1m
Eventual Spread: 50cm
Hardiness: 3a – 9b
Family: Asteraceae
Rudbeckia fulgida var. deamii is a deciduous, erect, herbaceous perennial with a clump forming habit. Its dark leaves are oval with entire margins, hairy, up to 12cm long and 5cm broad. Its orange/ yellow flowers are daisy like and up to 7cm across.
Rudbeckia fulgida var. deamii, commonly known as Deam’s Coneflower, is native to North America. Rudbeckia fulgida var. deamii is synonymous with Rudbeckia deamii.
The etymological root of the binomial name Rudbeckia was named for Olof Rudbeck and his son, who was also named Olof, who were 17th century Swedish botanists. Fulgida is from the Latin meaning ‘shiny’. Deamii is named after Charles Deam (1865 – 1953), an American botanist.
The landscape architect may find Rudbeckia fulgida var. deamii useful in prairie type planting schemes. Once established it is moderately drought tolerant.
Rudbeckia deamii (08/09/2012, Kew Garden, London)
Ecologically, Rudbeckia fulgida var. deamii is attractive to pollinating insects. Some birds are attracted to its seed heads.
The Royal Horticultural Society has given Rudbeckia fulgida var. deamii their prestigious Award of Garden Merit in 1993.
Rudbeckia fulgida var. deamii prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil.
Rudbeckia fulgida var. deamii requires little maintenance. Large clumps may be divided in autumn or spring.
