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Perennial Plant of the Year 1999: Rudbeckia fulgida "Goldstrum" |
Rudbeckia fulgida var. sullivantii 'Goldsturm' has been selected by the Perennial Plant Association as the 1999 Perennial Plant of the Year.
The PPA is an international professional association incorporated in 1984 and includes growers, retailers, educators, garden writers, and members of landscape related industries. They strive to provide information of benefit to the public regarding the use and care of perennials.'Goldsturm' is a long-blooming, low maintenance, long-lived perennial for full sun to partial shade. It tolerates clay soils and mild droughts, but grows best in well-drained, consistently moist soil. 'Goldsturm' orange coneflower performs as well in the high heat and humidity of South Carolina as it does in the -35°F winters of Alberta. Plant bare-root or container-grown plants anytime during the growing season, 18 inches apart. When establishing a new planting, mulch to retain moisture. 'Goldsturm' has few pest or disease problems.
'Goldsturm' orange coneflower is significant in its compact habit and 1-2-inch golden-yellow petals which encircle a nearly black cone of disk flowers. The leaves are coarse, dark green lanceolate to ovate, 3-6 inches long; stem leaves are smaller, almost bract-like. The "gold storm" blankets the tops of 18-30-inch tall plants from mid-July to October. Plant width is 24 inches.
Its native North American roots make 'Goldsturm' a natural for meadow gardens providing nectar for butterflies and seeds for overwintering birds. As a mid-border perennial, 'Goldsturm' adds a brilliant splash in late summer when combined with the subtle hues of pale blue Perovskia atriplicifolia or Caryopteris x clandonensis and soft green Pennisetum alopecuroides. In winter the black stems and seedheads add contrast and texture against the muted tans of ornamental grasses. Prolific flowering, low maintenance requirements, and proven reliability has earned Rudbeckia fulgida var. sullivantii 'Goldsturm' distinction as an award-winning perennial.
Information and photographs courtesy of The Perennial Plant Association
