I sprouted fewer rudbeckias this year. The rabbits and earwigs have gotten way out of control during the last couple of seasons, and I decided I’m tired of tending to their personal salad bar.
I sowed all of my rudbeckia seeds on the last day of February, and most of them have already sprouted. The only cultivar that’s struggling to germinate is ‘Indian Summer’ (pictured). I’m sure it’s just a bad batch of seed. Every year something gives me trouble. I usually reseed a few times and just when I’m about to give up, the little sprouts decide to make an appearance. It pays to be patient.
I’ve grown ‘Indian Summer’ for well over a decade and it’s still one of my favorite annuals. The plants grow 36 to 42 inches tall and anchor the back of my borders with tall zinnias.
