Plant DetailShow Menu

Goldsturm Black-Eyed Susan Rudbeckia fulgida var. sullivantii 'Goldsturm'

Previously known as:

  • Rudbeckia fulgida var. deamii
  • Rudbeckia speciosa var. sullivantii
  • Rudbeckia sullivantii
Phonetic Spelling
rud-BEK-ee-a FUL-jih-duh
Description

'Goldsturm' black-eyed Susan is a cultivar and is one of the most popular perennials in cultivation. It won the Perennial Plant of the Year Award in 1999 and the Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society in 1993. This herbaceous perennial has a clumping habit with erect stems that reach a height of 18 to 24 inches. The plant has bold dark green foliage, and the flower has rich yellow petal rays with a dark brown center disk. It is a nonstop show of flowers from mid-summer until the first frosts of fall. This cultivar is a member of the Asteraceae or daily family.

'Goldsturm' was first introduced in 1937.

The genus name, Rudbeckia, is in honor of a Swedish botanist, Olof Rudbeck. The species name, fulgida, means "shining or glistening."  The name, 'Goldsturm,' is German and means "storm of gold" or "golden storm."

'Goldsturm' black-eye Susan performs best in full sun and moist, well-drained soils in hardiness zones 3-9. It is tolerant of partial shade and once established it will become more drought tolerant. To prevent foliar disease good air circulation is needed, particularly in humid climates. Deadheading spent blooms will promote reblooming throughout the season. Remove the dead foliage in the fall. The plant will spread via its rhizomes, and it may also be propagated by division.

'Goldsturm' is easy to grow and requires very little maintenance. The cultivar is more compact than other species and has large flowers measuring up to 4 inches in diameter. Butterflies and bees are attracted to its blooms.

Consider this cultivar as a mass planting in a border, cottage garden, meadow, or naturalized area. This reblooming and long-lasting flower will add bold color to any late summer and fall garden.

Seasons of Interest:

Bloom:  Summer and Fall                 Foliage:  Spring, Summer, and Fall

Quick ID Hints:

  • clumping, herbaceous perennial with erect stems, and measuring 18 to 24 inches in height
  • oblong to lanceolate, dark green leaves
  • large daisy-like flower heads with deep yellow petal rays and dark brown to black center 

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: 'Goldsturm' Blacked-eyed Susan is generally pests and disease-free. It may be susceptible to angular leaf spots, Septoria leaf spots, and powdery mildew. This occurs primarily in humid areas of the southern United States where plants may be crowded. It is best practice to remove dead foliage in the fall and divide the plants to prevent overcrowding. 

VIDEO: Part of the Native Plant Picks series from the North Carolina Sea Grant led Coastal Landscapes Initiative.

Additional video created by Andy Pulte for “Landscape Plant Identification, Taxonomy and Morphology” a plant identification course offered by the Department of Plant Sciences, University of Tennessee.

 

Profile Video:
See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#drought tolerant#yellow flowers#low maintenance#cottage garden#mass planting#air pollution tolerant#summer flowers#deer resistant#herbaceous perennial#border planting#pollinator plant#clumping#naturalized area#prairies#compact habit#clay soils tolerant#bird friendly#butterfly friendly#bee friendly#dry soils intolerant#perennial#full sun#landscape plant sleuths course#meadow
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#drought tolerant#yellow flowers#low maintenance#cottage garden#mass planting#air pollution tolerant#summer flowers#deer resistant#herbaceous perennial#border planting#pollinator plant#clumping#naturalized area#prairies#compact habit#clay soils tolerant#bird friendly#butterfly friendly#bee friendly#dry soils intolerant#perennial#full sun#landscape plant sleuths course#meadow
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Rudbeckia
    Species:
    fulgida
    Family:
    Asteraceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Wildlife Value:
    The flowers attract birds, butterflies, and bees.
    Play Value:
    Attractive Flowers
    Attracts Pollinators
    Wildlife Food Source
    Dimensions:
    Height: 1 ft. 6 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Perennial
    Habit/Form:
    Clumping
    Erect
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Coarse
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Occasionally Dry
    Available Space To Plant:
    12 inches-3 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Black
    Brown/Copper
    Gold/Yellow
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Head
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Good Cut
    Good Dried
    Long Bloom Season
    Long-lasting
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Radial
    Flower Petals:
    7 - 20 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    3-6 inches
    Flower Description:
    The flowers bloom singularly on the erect stems. Each flower measures 3 to 4 inches in diameter and has deep yellow petal rays with a dark brown to black center disk. They bloom nonstop from June to October.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Rough
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Long-lasting
    Showy
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Lanceolate
    Oblong
    Leaf Margin:
    Dentate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    The leaves are dark green, oblong to lanceolate, and alternate with dentate margins. The leaves have a coarse, rough texture.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Form:
    Straight
    Stem Description:
    The stems are erect and green.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Meadow
    Naturalized Area
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Cottage Garden
    Cutting Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Rain Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Butterflies
    Songbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Drought
    Dry Soil
    Urban Conditions