RUDBECKIA CHEROKEE SUNSET

Large, double and semi double blooms in shades that drift from copper and russet to burnt orange, gold and soft apricot. No two flowers are quite the same, giving the plant a wonderfully natural, hand tinted charm that feels right at home in a relaxed cottage border. Some blooms are richly ruffled, others more open and daisy like, all carrying that warm, late summer glow.

A long flowering variety, Cherokee Sunset thrives in ordinary soil and stands up well to heat and dry spells, rewarding the gardener with weeks of colour from midsummer onwards. Its sturdy stems make it an excellent choice for cutting, while bees and butterflies flock to its open centres. Whether planted for bedding in drifts or woven among grasses and perennials, this Rudbeckia brings depth, warmth and a touch of rustic romance to any summer garden. 18-20". HHA.

Rudbeckia, or Black-Eyed Susan, is a classic Indian Summer plant, flowering from July and continuing to provide glowing colour into October and even November. The beautiful daisy like flowers, produced on tall erect stems with dark strongly contrasting centres, last well as cut flowers and look stunning planted in en-masse in a border.

Sow indoors, in trays, covering with ¼ of an inch of compost between February and April for best results. Germination usually takes 14 to 21 days at 15-20°C (60-68°F)

Once the seedlings are about 2 to 3 inches tall, transplant them into individual 4 inch pots.  Always hold and handle by a leaf, never by the stem. Grow on in cooler, but not cold conditions. Gradually acclimatise the young plants to outside conditions, avoiding frost, before planting out into well-drained soil towards the end of May or early June, spacing around 30cm (12") apart.

Dead-head regularly