This impressive daisy towers above surrounding plantings in the Autumn Garden.
The daisy family (Asteraceae) is not only one of the largest plant families, comprising over 1500 genera, but is also one of the most reliable for providing late summer and autumn colour. One member of the genus which delivers on this front is Rudbeckia, which contains 20 species of annuals, biennials and perennials from moist meadows and woodland of North America. Members of the genus usually have alternate, simple to pinnatifid leaves which are toothed towards the apex. The flowers comprise a conical centre of disc florets (which give rise to the common name cone flower), surrounded by reflexed ray florets. R. laciniata is a rhizomatous species to 3m in height from central and north Eastern North America and having deeply lobed pinnate leaves. ‘Herbstsonne’ (or ‘Autumn Sun’) is a striking selection for the garden, bearing a central cone of green disc florets and bright yellow ray florets.