Product Description
Rudbeckia 'American Gold Rush' PP28498 CPBRAF (30)ct Flat
Common Name: Black-Eyed Susan
Finally, a Black Eyed Susan that's resistant to the Septoria leaf spot! Thanks to the thinner and hairier leaves, this hybrid Rudbeckia shows no signs of the fungus even in wet, humid conditions. A dome-like habit of golden yellow flowers with black centers are produced heavily from July to September here in Michigan, with some color until frost. Destined to be the new staple for landscapes! From Brent Horvath of Intrinsic Perennial Gardens.
Rudbeckias like full sun, but they also will do well in partial shade. Plant them in well-drained, not overly rich soil. Remove spent flowers in order to stimulate continuous bloom.
Perennial Plant Association Plant of the Year -- 2023
All-America Selections Herbaceous Perennial Trial Award Winner -- 2020
Pennsylvania Horticultural Society Gold Medal Plant -- 2021
Height: 22.0-26.0 Inches
Spread: 40.0-44.0 Inches
Hardiness Zones: 4,5,6,7,8,9
Flower Color: Yellow Shades
Foliage Color: Green shades
Sunlight: Full Sun (> 6 hrs. Direct Sun) to Part Shade (4-6 hrs. Direct Sun)
Low to Average Water Needs
Average Soil Quality
Bloomtime: Midsummer to Early Fall
Long Blooming
Attracts Butterflies
Attracts Songbirds
Bee Friendly
Growth Rate: Medium
Border Plant, Container, Cut Flower, Easy To Grow, Mass Planting
Rudbeckia 'American Gold Rush' is a popular cultivar of the black-eyed Susan, prized for its vibrant golden-yellow flowers and compact growth habit. This herbaceous perennial brings a touch of sunshine to gardens from mid-summer to early fall, attracting pollinators and adding a cheerful note to any landscape. Named the 2023 Perennial Plant of the Year by the Perennial Plant Association, 'American Gold Rush' has proven itself to be an exceptional addition to any garden. This comprehensive guide will provide you with all the information you need to successfully cultivate and enjoy this stunning plant.
This cultivar distinguishes itself from other Rudbeckia varieties with its unique features:
- Compact Growth: Reaching a mature size of 22-26" tall and 40-44" wide, 'American Gold Rush' maintains a naturally rounded and compact form. This makes it ideal for smaller gardens or container planting. Its compact size also makes it well-suited for urban environments where space may be limited.
- Vibrant Flowers: The flowers are a striking golden yellow with dark brown centers, resembling classic daisies. Each flower measures approximately 2 inches wide. The blooms appear from July to September, with some color lasting until frost, providing a long season of interest.
- Disease Resistance: 'American Gold Rush' boasts exceptional resistance to septoria leaf spot, a common fungal disease that affects other Rudbeckia varieties. This resistance stems from its narrow, hairy foliage. The hairs on the leaves help to prevent water from collecting on the leaf surface, which reduces the likelihood of fungal spores germinating and infecting the plant. This cultivar was specifically bred for its resistance to septoria leaf spot and has smaller foliage and shorter height compared to its seed parent, Rudbeckia fulgida var. deamii.
- Attractive to Pollinators: The flowers are a magnet for butterflies, bees, and other pollinating insects. In autumn, the seed heads provide a valuable food source for birds.
- Hardiness: This cultivar thrives in USDA hardiness zones 3 to 9, making it suitable for a wide range of climates.
Growing Conditions To ensure your Rudbeckia 'American Gold Rush' flourishes, provide it with the following growing conditions:
- Sunlight: Plant in full sun (at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day) for optimal growth and flowering. It can tolerate some shade, but flowering may be reduced.
- Soil: Well-drained soil is crucial. While it prefers average moisture, it tolerates drought once established. It is adaptable to various soil types, including normal, clay, sandy, and acidic soils.
- Water: Water regularly until the plant is established. Once established, it is relatively drought-tolerant.
- Fertilizer: While not a heavy feeder, 'American Gold Rush' benefits from a balanced fertilizer applied in spring. A constant liquid fertilization program at rates of 75-150 ppm nitrogen with every irrigation is recommended. Avoid over-fertilization, as it can lead to excessive foliage growth and fewer blooms.
- Cold Period: While not required, providing 8-10 weeks of cold is beneficial to increase bud count and uniformity.
- Pinching: Pinching can produce more compact plants, particularly in taller varieties.
- Seeds: Allow seeds to fall to encourage self-seeding and ensure the plant's presence in the garden. Spent flower heads can be cut back to prevent excessive self-seeding.
- Dividing: Divide clumps every 4 years in spring to maintain robust growth.
- Cutting Back Foliage: Spent foliage can be cut back to 6 inches to encourage a flush of new growth.
- Cold Hardiness: In colder zones (zones 3 and 4), it's best to plant 'American Gold Rush' in early to mid-May.
Common Uses in Landscaping and Gardening Rudbeckia 'American Gold Rush' is a versatile plant with numerous applications in the landscape:
- Mass Planting: Create a stunning visual impact by planting in masses. The abundance of golden flowers creates a vibrant display.
- Borders and Edging: Its compact size makes it ideal for edging borders or walkways.
- Mixed Perennial Borders: Combine with other perennials to create a dynamic and colorful border. Consider pairing it with plants that have contrasting colors or textures, such as purple coneflowers, Russian sage, or ornamental grasses. Some excellent companion plants include Summer Peek-a-Boo Ornamental Onion, Sky Blue Aster, Russian Sage, Butterflyweed, Kobold Original Blazing Star, Pale Purple Coneflower, Prairie Smoke, and Montrose White Calamint.
- Cottage Gardens: Its cheerful blooms add a touch of charm to cottage gardens.
- Container Planting: 'American Gold Rush' thrives in containers, adding a splash of color to patios and balconies.
- Cut Flowers: The long-lasting blooms make excellent cut flowers for fresh arrangements.
Pests and Diseases While 'American Gold Rush' is known for its disease resistance, particularly to septoria leaf spot, it is still susceptible to other pests and diseases:
| Pest/Disease | Symptoms | Management |
| Aphids | Small, soft-bodied insects that suck sap from plants, causing distorted growth and yellowing leaves. | Use insecticidal soap or neem oil to control infestations. |
| Sawflies | Larvae feed on leaves, creating holes and skeletonizing foliage. | Handpick larvae or use insecticides if necessary. |
| Whiteflies (greenhouse) | Tiny, white insects that suck sap from plants, causing yellowing and weakening. | Use insecticidal soap or neem oil. Introduce beneficial insects like ladybugs or lacewings. |
| Thrips | Small, slender insects that cause stippling and discoloration on leaves. | Use insecticidal soap or neem oil. |
| Beetles | Various beetles can feed on foliage or flowers. | Handpick beetles or use insecticides if necessary. |
| Plant bugs | Cause distorted growth and discoloration on leaves and flowers. | Use insecticidal soap or neem oil. |
| Stalk borers | Bore into stems, causing wilting and dieback. | Remove and destroy infested stems. |
| Aster leafhopper | Can transmit aster yellows disease. | Control leafhoppers with insecticides. |
| Aster yellows | Leaf-like structures form where flower parts should be located. Plants may branch abnormally heavily (witches' broom), leaves may be yellow, and plants may be stunted. | Remove and destroy infected plants. Control leafhoppers early in the season with insecticides to suppress the spread of the pathogen. |
| Bacterial leaf spots | Angular, brown to purplish spots primarily on lower leaves may kill the entire leaf. | At the end of the season, remove all above-ground plant parts. Avoid using sprinkler irrigation. |
| Downy mildew | Dark, blotchy areas on upper leaf surfaces and grayish-white fuzzy growth on leaf undersides. | Provide good air circulation around the plants. |
| Fungal leaf spots | Brown spots on lower leaves spread upward during wet weather or when sprinkler irrigation is used. | Start with healthy plants and do not purchase any with spots on leaves. Remove infected leaves and provide good air circulation around the plants. Avoid using sprinkler irrigation. |
| Powdery mildew | White fungal growth on leaves causes them to yellow, die and fall prematurely. | Avoid using high-nitrogen fertilizer because succulent growth is very susceptible to this disease. |
| Rusts | Dusty, rusty red spores form in blister-like spots on leaves and stems. | Some Carex species (sedges) act as alternate hosts. If grown close to Rudbeckia, the disease may be severe. |
| Stem rot | Lower leaves yellow, wilt, and die. The entire plant may die. White, cottony fungal growth forms at the soil line; small, white to reddish-brown balls or black, long (mouse dropping-sized) structures form on the white growth. | Remove and destroy infected plants and even remove and replace the topsoil immediately around the plant. Do not attempt to compost the dead plant material. |
| Verticillium wilt | Leaves yellow, brown, and wilt. | Diseased plants should be removed and destroyed. Verticillium survives in the soil for many years. |
| Viruses | Light and dark green mosaic coloration forms on the leaves. Leaves may be distorted, and the plants stunted. | Obtain a diagnosis from a plant disease clinic to confirm the identity of the virus present. Some are spread only by insects, while others are spread on your hands and tools. Remove and destroy infected plants. |
Rudbeckia 'American Gold Rush' is a valuable addition to any garden. Its vibrant golden-yellow flowers, compact habit, and long blooming period make it a standout performer. It is also highly attractive to pollinators, providing a valuable food source for bees, butterflies, and birds. With its exceptional disease resistance, particularly to septoria leaf spot, and adaptability to a variety of growing conditions, 'American Gold Rush' is a low-maintenance and rewarding plant that is sure to brighten any landscape. Whether used in mass plantings, borders, containers, or as cut flowers, this versatile perennial offers a touch of gold to gardens across a wide range of climates.
Thirty (30) plants per flat (or tray). Approximate Plug Measurements: 3 inches deep x 2 inches wide.
Other Details
The most important part of the plant is its root system. Healthy roots are the foundation of a healthy, vibrant plant. The type of plug container used is based on the specific needs of the plants. Perennials offered as bare root traditionally perform better when planted as bare root.Planted in a specialized mix, potted plants have well established root systems. Top growth stage will vary depending on the current life cycle and time of year when shipped. In Winter and early Spring dormant plants may be shipped. Dormant plants may be planted right away, even before the last frost date.
Most bare root varieties are field grown for at least one season, though Hemerocallis and Hosta are grown for two seasons. The bulk of the soil is removed during the harvesting process and the tops of most varieties are trimmed back to the crown. They are graded, packed in shredded aspen or sphagnum moss and stored in freezers until ready to be shipped.
See our Container Sizes and Bare Root Perennials pages for more information.
Plant information and care is provided in the Overview section, Plant Genus Page and general information is provided in the Planting Care & Guides. Additional questions can be asked on each Plant page.
Plant Spacing: Using the maximum mature spread or width of a plant to guide spacing, ensures space to grow to full size. To fill an area sooner, plant them closer together. Just remember, future thinning or transplanting may be needed.
Water: Keep a close eye on newly planted perennials, especially throughout the first growing year. Most early plant loss is due to too much or too little water!
