Annual and perennial rudbeckia: planting and care

Rudbeckia (black-eyed Suzanne, sun hat) is a herbaceous plant belonging to the Astrov family. Homeland - the northern regions of America, most European and African countries.

In total there are 40 varieties of flower. The shrub acquired its official name thanks to the botanists from Switzerland - Rudbek.

Description of rudbeckia

Stems - erect or branched, highly pubescent. They reach 2-3 m. The foliage is whole, cirrus-dissected, there are representatives with an oval or ovoid shape, a length of about 20 cm. There are long petioles on the bottom of the trunk, and sessile on top.

Basket-like inflorescences about 15-17 cm in size. Color - from saturated yellow to purple-black.

The fruit resembles an elongated achene with a small crown. Seeds are glossy, dark gray. They germinate for two to three years.

Many consider rudbeckia and echinacea as one herb, but this opinion is erroneous. They have a similar appearance and are found on the same continent, but that's all.

Unlike the last plant, the black-eyed Suzanne has no healing properties.

Types and varieties of rudbeckia

Rudbeckia species are divided according to plant life span. Among the annual annual rudbeckia suitable for home growing, the following varieties are distinguished:

Among perennial rudbeckia, there are also several interesting varieties:

Growing annual rudbeckia from seeds

Annual rudbeckia is obtained from seeds using seedlings, or immediately placed in open ground.

To seedlings were strong and healthy, you need to follow the technology of their sowing.

Sowing

Sowing seeds in open soil is a method of growing rudbeckia widespread in Russia. But the minus of this method is that a full-fledged flower is received only after a year. To obtain a healthy plant, flower growers follow certain rules for planting time and technology.

Landing time

Seeds begin to sow in the ground in mid-summer. The optimal time for sowing is considered to be the period from the end of June to the 20th of July. Moreover, flowering is expected only next year.

Landing rules

When choosing this method of planting, plants follow this plan:

• the earth is loosened in advance and mineral substances are added to it;
• create grooves with a depth of 1.5-2 cm and place them at the same distance;
• seeds are evenly laid out, observing the interval between future shrubs of 15 cm;
• planting material is sprinkled with a thin layer of dry soil;
• the garden bed is carefully watered and sprayed out of the spray gun, do this extremely carefully so as not to wash the planting material.

After landing, you can’t forget about leaving: weed is removed, weed spacing, loosening the ground. In September, small leaf rosettes already come out on the beds, and next year they are full-grown shrubs.

Seedlings

Seedlings are used by gardeners in the northern regions.

Seeds are sown in the first half of spring (March-early April):

• They are planted in special vessels and covered on top with a small layer of earth, a little sprayed with water from a spray bottle (it should be warm and settled).
• The container is covered with a film, and moved to a room with a temperature of + 20 ... +22 ° C. The first sprouts appear in the period up to 14 days.
• Plants regularly moisturize, ventilate and clean the film from condensation. After the formation of two permanent sheets, transplant it so that there is enough distance between them.
• When the flowers take root, they are tempered. To do this, they are transferred every day to the loggia or porch for 2-3 hours.

Outdoor planting and care

When the seedlings are fully formed (the last decade of May-early June, after the absence of return frosts), they are transplanted into the garden, where they need some care:

• Watering. The plant is planted in a well-lit place, so the soil condition is constantly monitored. During active growth, the frequency of moisture application is twice a week.
• Pruning. To guarantee abundant and prolonged flowering, dried inflorescences are regularly removed. During cold weather, shrubs are completely cleaned, covering the remaining roots with dried foliage and spruce branches.
• Top dressing. To ensure normal development, they are fed twice a season. Initially, complex mineral fertilizer is used, it is introduced in March in order to accelerate the formation of a strong and powerful rhizome. The next top dressing is performed after 20 days (a tablespoon of nitrophosphate per 10 liters of liquid).

Features of growing perennial rudbeckia

Perennial varieties of the black-eyed Suzanne are grown only by sowing seeds into the soil. A suitable planting time is the end of spring or the beginning of summer, when the soil warms up well. The rest of the actions are similar to planting annuals, only the interval between seeds is 30-40 cm.

In the fall, shrubs dive and move to a permanent place. Then the flowers are pruned and mulched so that the rhizome does not suffer from frost. Flowering is expected next year.

Rudbeckia breeding

Another option for the reproduction of a sun hat is the division of the root system. Perform it every 5-6 years. The adult shrub is taken out of the soil and divided into several parts. Then new plants are planted in the ground in compliance with an interval of 30-40 cm between them.

This method is best suited when the flower is in the stage of active growth. The best time is the beginning of spring or autumn.

Rudbeckia diseases and pests

During the cultivation of rudbeckia, it can be attacked by insects or diseases.

With the timely detection of pests or diseases and their elimination, the plant will delight for a long time with its healthy and flowering appearance.

Rudbeckia is one of the unpretentious shrubs, so even minimal care from gardeners (timely watering, pruning and top dressing) will protect it from insects and diseases.

Watch the video: How to Plant Echinacea and Rudbeckia: Summer Garden Guide (May 2024).