I like to plant with all seasons in mind. Spring and early summer have a lot to offer for most of us but to be able to extend the season into fall and even winter makes the garden even more special. Rudbeckias grace the garden with their splashes of color well into late fall. I usually leave the stems standing throughout the winter as the birds are often seen pecking at the seedheads. This plant even fills up the spaces in spring with its wonderful foliage. Cutting back some of the flowering stems during their growing season encourages bushier growth and more flowering. I like to layer my cuts so there are shorter stems in the front and full stems in the middle. This strengthens the clump.

I once had someone come to the garden who looked out and said she never would have had yellow in the garden but after seeing my ‘Black-eyed Susan’s’ she was definitely going to add that to her color scheme. Rudbeckia fulgida 'Goldsturm' is definitely a favorite of mine and I cannot imagine my garden without it.