Rudbeckia, American Gold Rush

Rudbeckia are shipped as dormant bare-roots and for best results, it is important that they be planted promptly upon arrival. If you are not able to plant the root(s) upon arrival, keep them in the bag and store in a cool 1°C (34°F), dry, dark location for a day or two. If the roots and medium in the bag are dry, mist them with water to moisten.

• It is a good idea to soak the root(s) for 30 to 60 minutes before planting. Soaking will hydrate the plants and reduces the stress associated with the drying of soil around the roots after planting.
• Rudbeckia should be planted after the last frost in a well-draining, organic rich soil in full sun or part sun. They bloom best in a location that receives 6 to 8 hours of sun each day.
• Prior to planting, soil can be amended with compost or well-rotted mature to improve fertility and drainage. Loosen the soil to a depth of 30 cm (12") before planting. After loosening the soil, this is a good time to mix in 5-10 cm (2-4") of well-rotted manure, or compost.
• Dig a hole several inches wider and deeper than the roots. Create a mound of soil in the bottom of the hole. Position the bare-root on top of the mound and spread the roots out around the mound of soil holding the crown (where the roots come together and meet the stem) just below the soil level, 2.5 cm (1") deep. Any growth on top of the crown should be at the soil surface level. Carefully backfill the hole with soil and lightly tamp the soil over the newly planted root to remove any air pockets. Water thoroughly to settle the soil. Space plants 1-1.1 m (40-44") apart. As soon as you see green shoots breaking through the ground this means the roots have broken dormancy.
• Rudbeckia are perennials and will over winter. In the Fall, after a hard frost, cut the leaves down to about 5 cm (2") above the base of the plant.
• Water needs: Generally plants require 2.5 cm (1") of water per week to be healthy. This can come from rain or self-watering. Deep and less frequent watering is best to promote long roots. More frequent watering may be required in drought-like conditions. Do not water every day. Newly planted perennials need to be encouraged to send out new roots and they will do that in search of moisture.

**Not ready to plant? If you are not able to plant the root(s) for more than a day or two, remove the root(s) and plant in a container with moistened potting mix and place in a cool (not freezing), dark location. Storing the roots for an extended period of time can reduce their viability.

• You can expect some newly-planted perennials to produce a handful of flowers the first year. More commonly, these young plants will concentrate on getting established and not bloom until the second year.
• Most perennials bloom once per season. You can expect 2 to 3 weeks of blooms (or more, depending on the variety) from a plant.
• Newly planted perennials do not require fertilizing.
• Mulch can be placed around plants to cut down on weeds and conserve moisture
• It is not necessary to deadhead perennial blooms but you can remove the spent flowers to prevent seed production and encourage more flowers.
• If you did not cut down leaves in fall, remove dead/dry foliage in early Spring before it produces new growth for the season.