Black-eyed Susan 'Sahara'

'Sahara' is a sophisticated and highly sought-after cultivar of Rudbeckia hirta, offering a stunning palette of dusky rose, burnt copper, and soft amber tones. Unlike the common bright yellow varieties, 'Sahara' brings a more muted, vintage feel to the late summer UK garden. The flowers are mostly double or semi-double, creating a rich, velvet-like texture on sturdy stems. This plant acts as a half-hardy annual or short-lived perennial and is excellent for adding warmth to borders as summer fades. It typically grows to around 50-60cm tall. It performs best in fertile, well-drained soil in a sunny position. Its long-lasting flowers are superb for cutting, lasting well in a vase. In the UK, it is best started indoors in early spring and planted out after the frosts. It is quite resilient but benefits from regular watering during dry spells to keep the blooms coming until the first frost.

Sun: Full sun to partial shade.

Soil: Moist but well-drained soil.

Hardiness: H3 — down to −5°C.

Flowering: Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct.