Rudbeckia, Campfire Rudbeckia ~ 200 seeds

A golden rudbeckia with painterly dark markings on some petals reminiscent of the light and shadow cast around a campfire. Blackbird Rise Farm, where these seeds are collected, got its name from the red-winged blackbirds that visit the wildflowers of Maine. This rudbeckia showed up in the meadows surrounding the farm and exists at the intersection of wild and cultivated, annual and perennial, field and farm. We love how these bright golden petals dramatically shift to burnt sienna evoking the saying by Ursula Le Guin: "When you light a candle, you also cast a shadow."

Rudbeckias are cheery, generally fuss-free perennials that compete well with weeds and easily adapt to a variety of garden conditions.

Growing Instructions
Direct sow any time of year or start indoors in late winter or early spring. Rudbeckias are hardy plants and compete fairly well with weeds once established, but they'll need cultivation when young. They are not fussy about soil but need reasonable drainage. Plant somewhere where their bursting-forth mid-summer joy can be fully appreciated. 

Quick Facts
Days to Germination: 4-8 days
Days to Maturity: 120
Planting Depth: ¼"
Spacing in Row: 6-12"
Spacing Between Rows: 12"
Height at Maturity: 12-36"
Width at Maturity: 6-12"
Sun Preference: Full Sun
Hardiness Zone Range: Zone 3-7

About the Artist
Lucy Nguyen works in digital illustration techniques. For this illustration of Campfire Rudbeckia, Nguyen examines and embraces elements of her personal identity as a Vietnamese-American illustrator and explores her relationship to style, gender, nature, fantasy, and plants.