If there is a true perennial classic, it has to be Rudbeckia ‘Goldsturm‘. This striking cultivar has been popular in horticulture since its introduction in 1949, and its popularity was crowned by the Award of Garden Merit by Royal Horticultural Society in 1993; it was also selected by the Perennial Plant Association as the 1999 Perennial Plant of the Year.
Here are the highlights of this variety: it has compact growth and good texture, a very long blooming period of nearly 3 months (each single flower blooms for 2 weeks and is about 2″ across), ornamental seed heads, nearly 100% flower coverage of the mounds, is adaptable and drought tolerant, easy to grow and low maintenance, a quite long-lived perennial, good pollinator plant, black walnut tolerant, a long lasting cut flower and quite good groundcover for full sun…its simply an exceptional herbaceous plant!
What makes my heart really happy is writing about its historic background, because this superb cultivar was discovered in my home country of Czechoslovakia in 1937, during the difficult years caused by WWII; it came to the market in 1949, after the war was over.
The seeds of the wild form were originally shipped from the USA to The Botanical Garden of the University in Graz (Germany) and given to The Brother Schütz Nursery in Czechoslovakia (Gebrüder Schütz). The Nursery of Brother Schütz (located in Olomučany at Blansko) was well-established at that time and a recognized perennial nursery with central European connections.
In this nursery began the career of Heinrich Hagemann, who became head gardener for world famous perennial breeder and grower Karl Foerster. While Hagemann was on a private visit to this nursery, he noticed and admired the compact habit and floods of blooms of this floriferous charmer, which had already been cultivated in the experimental flower beds of the so-called ”Gethsemane garden“.
Heinrich brought some plants back to Potsdam, Germany in 1937 and, along with Karl Foerster, began to grow and propagate them. Legend says that upon seeing the flowers for the first time in 1938, Karl Foerster called out Goldsturm! (= Gold Storm)
(The Czechoslovakian Brother Schütz Nursery is also connected to architect Grete Roder Müller, co-creator of the garden of Villa Tugendhat, a work of unique/pioneer modern European architecture in Brno, Czech Republic. Heinrich Hagemann started his own nursery, Hagemann Staudenkulturen, that still operates to this day.)
Rudbeckia ‘Goldsturm‘ fits into any sunny border with medium-moist to medium-dry soil. Great in any landscaping – private and public spaces, cottage gardens, woodland edges, butterfly gardens, pollinator gardens, plantings supporting birds. The number of suitable companions is never-ending. The best contrast of yellow- blue combinations can be achieved by adding Agastache ‘Blue Fortune‘, Agastache ‘Black Adder‘ or Agastache ‘Blue Boa‘, Aster frikartii ‘Monch‘, Aster oblongifolius, Aster novae-angliae – bluish cultivars, Delphinium (with second re-blooms), Echinops, Eryngium planum, Geranium ‘Rozanne‘ and it’s descentants, Lobelia siphilitica (on moist soils), Monarda ‘Blue Stoking‘, Nepeta x faasenii (if it was cut back previously), Perovskia, Phlox paniculata ‘Blue Paradise‘, Salvia farinacea, Verbena bonariensis, Verbena hastata ‘Blue Spires‘ or with blue flowering shrubs of Hydrangea macrophylla in the background.
Other great combos are with Coreopsis, Echinacea purpurea, Eupatorium, Gaura, Helenium, reblooming Hemerocallis, Monarda, Persicaria amplexicaulis, Physostegia, Sedum telephium and grasses like Panicum virgatum, Schizachyrium scoparium, Sporobolus heterolepis, Stipa or species of Hydrangea.
In spaces without enough air circulation, some leaf fungi diseases (septoria leaf spot) or powdery mildew can occur. If ‘Goldsturm‘ really suffers in some locations, you can replace it with a new variety of Rudbeckia, ‘American Gold Rush,‘ which is fungus & disease free!
Blooming Time: June to SeptemberSize: usually 2-2.5’ tall x 18-24” wide (spacing about 12-15″), it spreads slowly on the soil surface by shorter rhizomes; the leaves provide some groundcover USDA Zones: 4 to 8Culture: full sun, half sun, half shade (flowers less there), average garden soil, moist, well-drained soils, loamy soils, clayish soils. Adaptable to sandy or rocky soil if they are not too dry.Moisture Needs: medium-dry, medium, medium-moist, moist, quite drought tolerant once establishedOrigin: garden origin, seed line. The wild form of Rudbeckia fulgida var. sullivantii is native in areas from New York to West Virginia and west to Michigan, Illinois, Missouri and Arkansas. Can be found in swamps, shorelines, fens and sedge meadows. The wild form is not commonly sold because of the extreme popularity of its ornamentally-upscale cultivar ‘Goldsturm’.Deer/Rabbit Resistant: yes / yes, but some mammals can browse the leavesAttracts Butterflies or Pollinators: flowers offer nectar and pollen to butterflies, native bees, honey bees, pollinating flies, skippers and beetles. Caterpillars of several moths feed on the foliage and flowers. Songbirds feed on the seeds.Attracts Hummingbirds: noPot Size: 3.5″ x 5″ perennial pot (1.22 pt/580 ml)
Rudbeckia Goldsturm, also known as Black Eyed Susan Goldsturm, is a popular perennial plant known for its eye-catching golden flowers. As a hardy and low-maintenance plant, it’s a great addition to many gardens. But exactly how tall does this Rudbeckia grow? Let’s take a closer look.
An Overview of Rudbeckia Goldsturm
Rudbeckia Goldsturm is a variety of Rudbeckia fulgida, which is commonly known as Orange Coneflower or Black Eyed Susan. It’s a North American native perennial that grows well in zones 4-9.
Some key features of Rudbeckia Goldsturm include
- Bright golden yellow flowers that bloom from mid-summer to early fall
- Dark green leaves that form a neat mound
- Attracts butterflies and pollinators
- Tolerates heat, humidity, and drought once established
- 1999 Perennial Plant of the Year
This tough and adaptable plant thrives with minimal care. It’s perfect for cottage gardens, borders, containers, and mass plantings.
Mature Height of Rudbeckia Goldsturm
So just how tall does this popular perennial grow?
According to most sources, Rudbeckia Goldsturm reaches a mature height of 18-24 inches (45-60 cm). It grows upright at first, then arches gracefully as the flowers open.
The plant typically spreads 18-24 inches (45-60 cm) wide as well, creating a nice dome shape. It maintains a compact, upright habit without flopping over or looking unkempt.
While most Rudbeckia Goldsturm plants grow 18-24 inches tall at maturity, their final height can vary slightly based on growing conditions. Here are some factors that affect their height:
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Soil quality – Rich, fertile soil encourages taller growth. Poor soil leads to shorter plants.
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Sunlight – Rudbeckia Goldsturm thrives in full sun (minimum 6 hours daily). Less sun results in shorter plants.
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Water – Consistent watering, especially during the first year, supports fuller growth. Drought stress can inhibit height.
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Pruning – Cutting back spent flower stems by 1/3 in summer or fall promotes bushier regrowth.
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Temperature – Warm climates allow plants to grow taller than cool climates. Peak height occurs in zones 5-7.
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Maturity – Established plants grow bigger each year. Maximum height is reached by the 3rd or 4th year.
With ideal growing conditions, Rudbeckia Goldsturm may reach up to 30 inches (75 cm) in height. But the typical range is 18-24 inches when fully mature.
Tips for Growing Taller Rudbeckia Goldsturm
If you want to maximize the height of your Rudbeckia Goldsturm, here are some helpful tips:
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Plant in fertile, well-draining soil enriched with compost or manure. Avoid soggy soil.
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Give plants a high-phosphorus fertilizer in early spring to promote vigorous growth.
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Water regularly, especially during the first year, to support establishment.
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Situate plants in full sun locations with at least 6-8 hours of direct light daily.
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Leave plenty of space between plants for good air circulation and less competition.
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Cut back spent flower stems by 1/3 after the first bloom cycle finishes. This tidy-up promotes regrowth.
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Protect plants from wind, which can break stems and inhibit vertical growth.
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Mulch around plants to cool roots and reduce drought stress. Replenish mulch each spring.
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Divide congested clumps every 3-4 years to rejuvenate growth. Replant the healthiest divisions.
With a little TLC, you can maximize both the height and the prolific golden blooms of Rudbeckia Goldsturm in your landscape!
Typical Heights of Other Rudbeckia Varieties
While Goldsturm remains one of the most popular, there are many Rudbeckia varieties to choose from. Here are some typical heights you can expect:
- R. fulgida var. deamii – 24-36 inches (60-90 cm)
- R. fulgida var. sullivantii ‘Little Goldstar’ – 10-12 inches (25-30 cm)
- R. hirta ‘Irish Eyes’ – 24-36 inches (60-90 cm)
- R. laciniata ‘Goldquelle’ – 36-48 inches (90-120 cm)
- R. triloba ‘Prairie Glow’ – 15-24 inches (38-60 cm)
So depending on the variety, mature heights range from 1-4 feet tall. Check tags or plant descriptions to learn the expected size of any Rudbeckia you are considering.
The Goldsturm variety hits the sweet spot at 18-24 inches – not too short, not too tall! It brings beautiful golden color to the mid-range of the garden.
Achieve the Perfect Height in Your Garden
When planning your beds and borders, keep mature plant heights in mind. Use taller Rudbeckia varieties like R. laciniata as backdrop plants. Position mid-size varieties like Goldsturm in the middle. Then fill the front with shorter varieties and spillers.
With some planning, you can create beautiful layered garden displays that transition smoothly from tall to short. Rudbeckia is one of the most garden-worthy perennials for adding bold splashes of color at a range of heights.
So now you know exactly how tall to expect your Rudbeckia Goldsturm to grow. For a low-maintenance explosion of golden blooms in the middle of the border, you can’t go wrong with this classic perennial!
Rudbeckia fulgida var. sulivantii ‘Goldsturm’ – BLACK-EYED SUSAN ‘GOLDSTURM’ (rough look, spreading & groundcovering)
Rudbeckia ‘Goldsturm’
FAQ
Does Goldsturm Rudbeckia spread?
This fantastic plant spreads slowly, is easy to divide when it grows large, and never fails with weeks and weeks of wonderful golden blooms.
How big do Goldsturm Rudbeckia get when they mature?
Goldsturm Black Eyed Susan will grow to be about 24 inches tall at maturity, with a spread of 24 inches. When grown in masses or used as a bedding plant, individual plants should be spaced approximately 18 inches apart.
Is Rudbeckia Goldsturm the same as Black Eyed Susan?
Rudbeckia fulgida ‘Goldsturm’ (Black Eyed Susan) continues to increase in popularity because gardeners find it irresistible when they see a big plant in flower. This is a long-blooming cultivar, with lots of golden black-eyed daisies forming a tidy dome of color for many weeks in late summer.
How long does Rudbeckia Goldsturm live?
Typically, Rudbeckia ‘Goldsturm’ boasts a lifespan of 5-7 years, with the potential to thrive even longer under ideal conditions.Aug 26, 2024