Rudbeckia laciniata goldquelle

Up to six varieties of Rudbeckia laciniata are currently recognized. The varieties ampla and heterophylla are considered to be the most distinctive, while the others less so. There is variation in treatment among authors, with the less distinctive varieties sometimes being subsumed into laciniata, and variety ampla sometimes recognized at the species level.

Rudbeckia

Detailed investigation may show that the other varieties, from eastern North America, represent broadly intergrading forms that should be subsumed under var. laciniata.I thought I bought a Rudbeckia because I wanted the plant to cover cement sewer covers in the front of our lawn. I think I am growing something way higher than me! Last year, there were yellow flowers that lasted a very long time. the flowers were heavy and the plant leaned over the tanks and did a great job covering...this year I feel I am growing a beanstalk! Can this plant be trimmed and made bushy? (Source: www.minnesotawildflowers.info)

GARDEN

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We’ve been growing these for almost ten years in our community garden in Atlanta, now Zone 8. I consider them extremely invasive. However, they attract many bees of all kinds including honey bees, native bees, and bumble bees. We don’t see monarch butterflies here, wish we did, but fritillaries and swallowtails like these flowers. These plants are as bad as monarda for getting early summer mildew in our hot humid weather. I cut them way back, which means we no longer see many 8 foot flower stalks because they don’t have time to make up the growth. But still, plenty of flowers. Rampant reproduction is entirely by roots, not seed, so as far as I can tell. I can’t give them away, wish there was a market for them. It’s a beautiful plant, very strong and fast grower, loves rotted bark mulch soil but doesn’t seem to need much fertility. (Source: monarchbutterflygarden.net)