There are some new rudbeckias I’m going to try growing from seed this year, but there’s one I always make room for in my garden every year—‘Prairie Sun.’
‘Prairie Sun’ grows 28 to 32 inches tall and prefers full sun like most other rudbeckias; however, it tolerates partial shade nicely in my garden. The blooms can get up to 5 inches across, and look impressive massed in a clump. I like to plant them next to fiery red zinnias or purple salvias or ageratums.
‘Prairie Sun’ begins blooming in mid-to-late-summer when other plants, especially perennials, are getting worn out. It’s refreshing to see something new pop up in the garden.
I grow my plants from seed, but I’ve also seen ‘Prairie Sun’ available for sale at garden centers. Some of my plants have even survived mild winters (mild winters, that’s a funny one).
Pests aren’t a problem, but occasionally the plants will get powdery mildew or that exasperating vascular problem that causes rudbeckias to shrivel up and die for seemingly no reason. Most of the time they are carefree plants that pump out the blooms until frost.