Rudbeckia 'Cherokee Sunset'
Best unique blooms for gardeners seeking vibrant, long lasting color.
Summer and fall gardens are set aglow with the bronzy autumnal colors and full, semi-double to double blossoms of this award-winning gloriosa daisy. An essential flower of meadow gardens combined with grasses, asters, tall verbena, and golden Rudbeckias, it also is a long-lasting cut flower with tall, strong stems. This variety, a tetraploid, offers great vigor and an array of colors, from bright oranges and gold to deep reds and chocolate hues. It's a must for wildflower gardens and valuable in the cutting garden and border for its energetic mid-summer through fall bloom. Deadhead for even more flowers and mulch to conserve soil moisture during high summer. It may overwinter in zones 5-8 but is most often grown as an annual and self-sows.
$4.25
More Rudbeckia Options
Owner Satisfaction
4.5
/ 5
Category Rank
5274
/ 6513
#5274 in Seeds & Seed Tape
Price vs Category Average
-60%
Below average
Approximate Seeds Per Packet
189
Who it's for
- Gardeners desiring vibrant, multi-toned flowers for a show-stopping display.
- Homeowners seeking continuous garden interest and long-lasting floral beauty.
- Eco-conscious individuals aiming to attract beneficial insects to their garden.
Who should skip it
- Gardeners expecting robust, long-term perennial performance from their plants.
- Busy individuals preferring truly low-maintenance plants that require minimal care.
- Gardeners with small spaces or those who dislike managing unexpected seedlings.
Performance breakdown
Vase Life
Strong, tall stems ensure these blooms hold up beautifully in arrangements.
Pollinator Appeal
A reliable magnet for butterflies and bees throughout the late season.
Drought Tolerance
Established plants handle dry spells well, though regular water boosts performance.
Germination Ease
Requires specific light and moisture conditions to achieve optimal sprout rates.
Garden Resilience
Deer-resistant nature makes this a low-maintenance choice for meadow gardens.
Visual Impact
Stunning autumnal palette provides vibrant, high-energy color for late summer borders.
Key Specs
Approximate Seeds Per Packet
189
Lifecycle
Annual
Annual Hardiness
Half Hardy Annual
Mature Size
2-2.5' h x 1-1.5' w
Sun
Full sun
Soil
Regular, moist, well-drained
Season
Summer to fall
Color
Mix of gold, orange, bronze, and russet colors
Know before you buy
Starting seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before your last frost is recommended for the best results. If you live in zone 8 or warmer, you can sow them directly outdoors once the danger of frost has passed.
To encourage continuous blooming from mid-summer through fall, be sure to deadhead spent flowers regularly. While they are heat and drought-tolerant once established, providing about an inch of water per week will result in more vigorous growth and better flower production.
Yes, 'Cherokee Sunset' is considered deer-resistant, making it a reliable choice for gardens where deer pressure is a concern.
These seeds require light to germinate, so surface sow them and firm them lightly into the soil rather than burying them. If starting indoors, use a humidity dome to maintain moisture and keep the containers in a warm spot between 65-75°F.
While they may overwinter in zones 5-8, they are typically grown as annuals. However, they are known to self-sow, so you may see them return in the same area the following season.
Harvest the stems once the flowers are fully open for the best vase life. Their tall, strong stems make them excellent for arrangements, and their unique autumnal color palette pairs beautifully with grasses and other late-season blooms.
Still have a question?
Ask Hayley anything about this product before you decide.
Ready to buy?
$4