Rudbeckia x hybrida 'American Gold Rush' - BLACK-EYED SUSAN 'AMERICAN GOLD RUSH'

Perennial of The Year 2023 (Perennial Plant Association Award). Dense, compatct, well branched regular mounds highly covered with flowers from summer to early fall!

Very drought and heat tolerant. Very healthy new cultivar with no leaf spots even in very humid climates! Pollinator friendly.

All-American Selections (ASS) Herbaceous Perennial Winner in 2020

New standard for American landscapes!

So far it looks like the beautiful round shape develops in richer soils (with average to higher organic matter content), and/or with some average moisture. This makes sens - such a flower power needs some energy (and water).

But it also does very well on leaner or dry soils, but the look is more natural and less dense. Expect similar results, if you plant it more densely and don't leave enough room for developing the full mound. This makes this tough plant very versatile, but if you want full-sized plants, use 20-24" spacing!

Leaves are smaller, narrow and hairy. 2" golden-yellow flowers (diameter). No Septoria and other fungal troubles on the leaves.

 Blooming time : July to September, usually till the first frost

Size : 22-24” tall and wide or slightly wider

USDA zones : 4 to 8

Culture : full sun. Adaptable plant, easy  and fairly fast growing - any soil, preferably with some organic matter and somewhat drained. Avoid wet and waterlogged soils. Happy in heat, humidity and drier soils too

Moisture Needs : average - medium, medium-dry, dry

Origin : Introduced by Brent Horvath, Intrinsic Perennials (Hebron, IL) in 2015. Was selected from seedlings of open-pollinated Rudbeckia fulgida var. deamii. Patented in 2017 under USPP28498P2, unlicensed propagation is prohibited.

Deer/rabbit resistant : the whole plant is aromatic = yes / yes

Attracts Butterflies or Pollinators : not confirmed yet / yes

Attracts Hummingbirds : no

Pot Size : square 3.5" x 4" deep perennial pot

Pictures copyright : US Perennials

Plant combinations : For sunny garden (public and private), can be planted in small groups or mass plantings. For the middle of the bed or front, even slopes and bigger containers. Looks very well with grasses that help to tame down the regular-carved shape.

Can be combined with many plants that prefer somewhat drier conditions (and are drought tolerant) = from native choose shorter Agastache, Amsonia, Asclepias tuberosa, Baptisia, Coreopsis, Cunila origanoides, Dalea, Eryngium juccifolium, Echinacea, Gaillardia, Gaura, Liatris, Penstemons, Ruellia, Stokesia, Verbena canadensis, Yucca, native grasses like Boutelloa gracilis or B. curtipendula, Koeleria cristata, Sporobolus heterolepis (or non-native Sesleria), Panicum.

And non-native perennials like Achillea, summer blooming Allium, Aquilegia, Aster, Calamintha, Campanula, Eryngium, Geranium, Iris x barbata (=I. x germanica), Lavandula, Nepeta, Origanum, Paeonia, Perovskia, Platycodon, Satureja, Salvia, taller Sedum, Stachys, Scabiosa columbaria, Veronica,...

But it will go well with plants that do like more moisture too = Iris sibirica, Leucanthemum x superbum, Hemerocallis (daylily), Phlox paniculata hybrids or Phlox carolina hybrids.

Great cut flower and dried flower plant.