True Leaf Market
Rudbeckia Seeds - Cherokee Sunset
Best vibrant blooms for enthusiastic home gardeners.
Experience a stunning display of bicolored sunset petals with this Rudbeckia variety, transitioning from crimson to bronzed yellow. These award-winning flowers produce large, double blooms up to 5 inches across on plants that reach 24-30 inches tall. They are known for prolific flowering in their first year, making them perfect for garden beds, walkways, or containers. This versatile plant thrives as a perennial but can also be grown as an annual, attracting pollinators while resisting deer and rabbits. Enjoy their vibrant beauty as cut flowers indoors.
$4.19
Owner Satisfaction
4.5
/ 5
Category Rank
4826
/ 6537
#4826 in Seeds & Seed Tape
Price vs Category Average
-59%
Below average
Latin Name
Rudbeckia hirta
/ Rudbeckia hirta
Who it's for
- Gardeners seeking unique, show-stopping flowers for their landscape or arrangements.
- Novice gardeners looking for reliable, rewarding flowers with minimal fuss.
- Eco-conscious gardeners and those who love creating fresh floral arrangements.
Who should skip it
- Gardeners expecting a long-term, permanent perennial addition to their garden.
- Individuals with predominantly shady garden plots or limited sunny spots.
- Meticulous gardeners who prefer highly controlled plant placement and minimal weeding.
Performance breakdown
Visual Impact
Striking bicolored petals create a high-contrast, sunset-inspired garden focal point.
Pollinator Attraction
Reliably draws bees and butterflies, boosting overall garden ecosystem health.
Growth Versatility
Thrives equally well in containers, garden beds, or as cut flowers.
Pest Resistance
Naturally deters deer and rabbits, minimizing the need for protective barriers.
First-Year Performance
Delivers profuse, award-winning blooms quickly within the initial growing season.
Maintenance Ease
Requires standard care but demands vigilance against potential mildew issues.
Key Specs
Latin Name
Rudbeckia hirta
Color
Bicolored sunset petals with bronzed yellow tips and a mahogany crimson base.
Hardiness Zone
Biennial to short-lived perennial; Zones 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Days to Maturity
91-105 days
Days to Germination
7-14 days
Seeding Depth
0.125 inches
Plant Spacing
12-18 inches
Row Spacing
24-30 inches
Know before you buy
Yes, Cherokee Sunset is known for prolific flowering in its first year, so you won't have to wait until the second season to enjoy the blooms.
Absolutely. Because they have a bushy, upright growth habit and reach a manageable height of 24-36 inches, they perform very well in containers as long as you provide adequate drainage and full sun.
Yes, this variety is generally resistant to deer and rabbits, making it a reliable choice for garden beds that might otherwise be vulnerable to browsing animals.
Rudbeckia generally make excellent cut flowers with a long vase life. For the best results, harvest them when the petals are fully open and place them in clean water immediately.
Cherokee Sunset is a biennial to short-lived perennial. While it is often grown as an annual for its first-year blooms, it may return in subsequent seasons depending on your hardiness zone and local climate conditions.
These plants thrive in full sun and prefer fertile, well-drained soil that is kept evenly moist. Avoid planting them in areas with poor drainage to prevent issues like powdery mildew.
Still have a question?
Ask Hayley anything about this product before you decide.
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$4