All of the rudbeckias in the top picture are self-seeded plants from the original Rudbeckia hirta 'Rustic Dwarf' seedlings I grew. The diversity and warmth of their colours has lightened our days over the last couple of months; with the wettest June and July we have had in the six years we have lived here. They cluster happily beneath the canopy of the Liquidambar styraciflua.
Rudbeckia fulgida var. sullivanti 'Goldsturm' came with us from Sussex. This has hybridised with the 'Rustic Dwarf' seedlings; some of which are four or five years old. Some of these seedlings have more reflexed petals with the deeper yellow and autumnal shades of 'Rustic Dwarf'.
They have been our constant sunshine in an otherwise dreary couple of months.
