Rudbeckias are a particularly handy garden annual, providing robust, colourful blooms that flower continuously from July through to October. Rudbeckia ‘Enchanted Velvet Flame’ produces large, semi-double flowers with dark maroon-red petals and a striking chocolate centre. The blooms measure up to 10cm (4″) across and are borne from strong, weather-proof stems above tidy mounds of foliage that won’t overcrowd surrounding plants. ‘Enchanted Velvet Flame’ is a magnet for pollinators and is perfect for planting in bold groups in sunny to semi-shaded wildlife gardens, beds and borders or in patio containers. They also make a wonderful cut flower for indoor vase arrangements. A short-lived perennial, best treated as an annual.Height: 50cm (20”). Spread: 45cm (18”).
Growing Information
Pot up rudbeckia plants and grow them on in frost free conditions for transplanting outdoors later on. When plants are well-grown and all risk of frost has passed, acclimatise them to outdoor conditions over a period of 7 to 10 days, before planting them outdoors in sun or partial shade. Rudbeckia enjoys a fertile, preferably heavy soil that is rich in organic matter and well drained. Coneflowers resent drought and dislike soils that dry out in summer.
