13 Rudbeckia Varieties For Your Summer Garden

When it comes to long blooming and pollinator value in the garden, few plants beat rudbeckia. Species of this hardy perennial are native to nearly all of North America. You may know the most common type by its common name, Black-eyed Susan. 

Often thought of as a wildflower, there are actually many cultivated varieties of rudbeckia. These occur across several species and come in various combinations of warm shades, including red, orange, yellow, and brown. Blooming through summer and fall, these are a great addition to the garden.

Rudbeckia is particularly well suited to pollinator, cottage, meadow, and prairie gardens. It prefers full sun exposure and well-drained, moderately fertile soil. Under the right conditions, it is wonderful for borders and cutting gardens. 

With its tolerance for humidity and drought, this plant will thrive in almost any environment. It self-seeds bountifully, bringing color to the garden year after year. Here are some of my favorite cultivars!

Black-Eyed Susan

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Indian Summer Black-Eyed Susan

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Cherry Brandy Black-Eyed Susan

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‘Cherry Brandy’

	botanical name Rudbeckia hirta ‘Cherry Brandy’
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 18”-24”
	hardiness zones 5-9

‘Cherry Brandy’ is a striking rudbeckia variety with deep red to wine colored petals. The color is bold and unusual for the species. It mixes well with sunflowers and other varieties in shades of yellow and orange. 

This cultivar makes a stunning border and performs well in containers as well. Use it in the cutting garden for a surprise appearance in arrangements. It’s not quite as long-lived as many other varieties, but it’s worth planting for the drama. It also self-seeds. 

‘Indian Summer’

	botanical name Rudbeckia hirta ‘Indian Summer’
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 24”-36”
	hardiness zones 3-9

‘Indian Summer’ is an All-America Selections award winner and a popular variety among gardeners. It has an extra-long blooming time, as well as extra-large flowers. The blooms are golden yellow and can grow up to nine inches across, although they are usually slightly smaller. 

This variety features a classic brown cone in the center and long, stiff stems that are ideal for cutting. Deadheading will keep the blooms coming, and in the right environment, these will also self-seed. You can grow them as an annual outside of their perennial range. 

‘Green-Eyed Lady’

	botanical name Rudbeckia hirta ‘Green-Eyed Lady’
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 24”-36”
	hardiness zones 3-9

This is a distinctive and memorable rudbeckia variety, featuring striking color variation. The petals are the classic golden yellow, but the central disk is bright green, as opposed to brown. This gives it a fresh, soft look that stands out in the garden. 

‘Green-Eyed Lady’ is an excellent example of a cultivated variety. It has the element of surprise, and also, all the qualities of the genus. Sturdy and low-maintenance, this plant is a beautiful addition to the pollinator garden. 

‘American Goldrush’

	botanical name Rudbeckia fulgida var. sullivantii  ‘American Goldrush’
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 20”-24”
	hardiness zones 3-9

The R. fulgida species is slightly more cold-tolerant and has all the same qualities as R. hirta. ‘American Goldrush’ has excellent disease resistance, a compact growth habit, and a long bloom time. It’s no wonder this holds the title of 2020 Perennial Plant of the Year from the Perennial Plant Association. 

‘American Goldrush’ forms a denser mound and has deep green foliage that resists fungus uncommonly well. It looks incredible in a mass planting or naturalistic design. This rudbeckia variety blooms well into the fall months, providing important food for wildlife.

‘Goldsturm’

	botanical name Rudbeckia fulgida ‘Goldsturm’
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 24”-36”
	hardiness zones 3-9

‘Goldsturm’ is a true perennial rudbeckia variety. It forms clumps that spread slowly over time. It has bright yellow daisy-like flowers with a classic, dark brown cone. It’s known for its hardiness and long blooming time. 

This variety won the Perennial Plant of the Year Award in 1999, making it an instant classic. It’s deer-resistant and pollinator-friendly, making it a great companion to other drought-tolerant perennials. Plant this alongside salvia and coneflowers for a pollinator powerhouse. 

‘Cappuccino’

	botanical name Rudbeckia hirta ‘Cappuccino’
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 18”-24”
	hardiness zones 5-9

‘Cappuccino’ is a striking rudbeckia variety with excellent branching and a compact growth habit. The multi-colored blooms are warm and festive in shades of red, orange, gold, and bronze. The petals are darker in the center and fade to gold at the tips. 

From early summer to frost, this cultivar blooms big-time. The foliage barely shows beneath the flowers all season. When it comes to award winners, this one holds a highly prestigious title. It has an Award of Garden Merit from the Royal Horticultural Society. 

‘Prairie Sun’

	botanical name Rudbeckia hirta ‘Prairie Sun’
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 20”-36”
	hardiness zones 3-8

‘Prairie Sun’ is a favorite of mine, with unique and beautiful coloring. The large flowers have golden petals with an orange circle in the center. The cone is light green, giving the entire flower a light and airy feel. 

This is a tall rudbeckia variety, reaching up to three feet in height. The flowers are large, making them perfect for the cutting garden. It stands out among other cultivars. It holds an All-America Selections Award from 2003, as well as a Fleuroselect Gold Medal from the same year.

‘Chim Chiminee’

	botanical name Rudbeckia hirta ‘Chim Chiminee’
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 24”-30”
	hardiness zones 5-9

‘Chim Chiminee’ is bold and eye-catching. It has large, showy flowers with uniquely thin petals and coloration. The blooms are typically bi-colored with dark orange to bronze and bright yellow petals that make an ombre effect. The central cone is dark brown, and the blooms are large, at four to six inches across. 

This variety likes average soil and moderate water. It blooms from mid-summer until early fall. It’s not the longest-blooming type, but it’s one of the flashiest ones. It’s also tolerant of some shade, particularly in warmer climates. 

‘Little Goldstar’

	botanical name Rudbeckia fulgida ‘Little Goldstar’
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 14”-24”
	hardiness zones 3-9

Compact and refined, this classic variety features a neat, mounded habit. It blooms prolifically from midsummer until early fall. The flowers are smaller than average, as is the plant itself. Its compact stature makes it ideal for small gardens, borders, and container arrangements. 

The dense, bushy growth solves one of the most significant issues for plants in this family. It resists flopping and doesn’t require staking to keep it upright. Deadheading can prolong the bloom cycle, but it’s not necessary. 

‘Cherokee Sunset’

	botanical name Rudbeckia hirta ‘Cherokee Sunset’
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 24”-36”
	hardiness zones 5-9

This gorgeous cultivar is one of few with a double-petaled flower form. These spectacular blooms range in color from deep red to gold and everything in between. Some flowers are bicolor, and all have a dark brown cone in the center. 

‘Cherokee Sunset’ is ideal for the cutting garden. The eye-catching flowers add gorgeous autumnal tones to your bouquets. This is a popular cultivar that blooms through the summer and into the fall months. 

‘Sahara’

	botanical name Rudbeckia hirta ‘Sahara’
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 18”-24”
	hardiness zones 5-9

‘Sahara’ is a gorgeous and sophisticated variety with deep, muted tones and a stunning vintage vibe. The blooms are semi-double to double, and come in a wide range of colors. These warm shades include copper, bronze, rose, orange, and burgundy. 

Most have a subtle bi-color effect, with the center a darker shade than the tips. They have a dark chocolate-brown center. This fancy cultivar remains a valuable resource for pollinators and other wildlife. It’s also amazing in cut flower arrangements.

‘Moroccan Sun’

	botanical name Rudbeckia hirta ‘Moroccan Sun’
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 12”-18”
	hardiness zones 5-8

‘Moroccan Sun’ is a special variety with stunning jewel-toned flowers. The plants are compact, making them great for smaller gardens, borders, and containers. They bloom for an extended period through summer and into the fall months. 

Its manageable size and stunning double-petaled flowers make this a fall favorite. It’s a great plant to transition from summer to fall, with tones of gold, copper, red, and yellow with dark brown centers. The blooms are typically bicolored. 

‘Tiger Eye’

	botanical name Rudbeckia hirta ‘Tiger Eye’
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 24”-30”
	hardiness zones 5-9

‘Tiger Eye’ is one of the first F1 hybrid Rudbeckias. It has an early blooming habit and produces a significant number of flowers. It’s excellent for mass plantings, borders, and containers, as it has a more compact growth habit.