Orange coneflower (black-eyed Susan ‘Goldsturm’) Rudbeckia fulgida
Orange coneflower (black-eyed Susan ‘Goldsturm’) (Rudbeckia fulgida) is a deciduous perennial flowering plant in the Asteraceae family, native to Eastern and central United States. It grows 50–80 cm (20–31 in) tall and 50–80 cm (20–31 in) wide, wants full sun and moderate water, and is hardy to about -35 °C (-31 °F). Space plants about 45 cm (18 in) apart.
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Orange coneflower (black-eyed Susan ‘Goldsturm’) at a glance
| Type | Perennial flowering plant, deciduous |
|---|---|
| Family | Asteraceae |
| Mature height | 50–80 cm (20–31 in) |
| Mature spread | 50–80 cm (20–31 in) |
| Spacing | 45 cm (18 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 5 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance moderate, waterlogging tolerance low |
| Soil pH | 5.5–7.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About -35 °C (-31 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 3) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 36 °C (97 °F) |
| Flowering | from about July for 7–11 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | High |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Eastern and central United States |
| Common in gardens of | 🇺🇸 United States, 🇨🇦 Canada, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇳🇱 Netherlands, 🇸🇪 Sweden, 🇵🇱 Poland, 🇯🇵 Japan |
Is Orange coneflower (black-eyed Susan ‘Goldsturm’) toxic?
- People: mildly toxic
- Cats: mildly toxic
- Dogs: mildly toxic
- Parts: leaves, seeds
Rudbeckias are mildly toxic to cats, dogs and livestock if eaten in quantity; the hairy leaves can irritate skin.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Orange coneflower (black-eyed Susan ‘Goldsturm’)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and moderate water.
Questions about Orange coneflower (black-eyed Susan ‘Goldsturm’)
- How far apart should I plant Orange coneflower (black-eyed Susan ‘Goldsturm’)?
- About 45 cm (18 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 50–80 cm (20–31 in).
- Does Orange coneflower (black-eyed Susan ‘Goldsturm’) need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 5 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Orange coneflower (black-eyed Susan ‘Goldsturm’) need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is moderate and waterlogging tolerance low.
- How cold-hardy is Orange coneflower (black-eyed Susan ‘Goldsturm’)?
- It tolerates about -35 °C (-31 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 3.
- When does Orange coneflower (black-eyed Susan ‘Goldsturm’) flower?
- From about July for 7–11 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Orange coneflower (black-eyed Susan ‘Goldsturm’) poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is mildly toxic; for dogs mildly toxic; for people mildly toxic. Rudbeckias are mildly toxic to cats, dogs and livestock if eaten in quantity; the hairy leaves can irritate skin.
- What grows well with Orange coneflower (black-eyed Susan ‘Goldsturm’)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Orange coneflower (black-eyed Susan ‘Goldsturm’). Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade A (A: strong evidence).
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder, Missouri Botanical Garden
- RHS Find a Plant (plant profiles and growing guides), Royal Horticultural Society
Notes and assumptions
- Spreading clumps covered in golden-orange daisies with black cones from late summer into autumn. The German nursery selection ‘Goldsturm’ (1937) became one of the most planted perennials in the world; the seed heads feed birds through winter.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Lettuce Lactuca sativa
- Sunflower Helianthus annuus
- French marigold Tagetes patula
- Zinnia Zinnia elegans
- Cosmos Cosmos bipinnatus
- Purple coneflower Echinacea purpurea
- Black-eyed Susan Rudbeckia hirta
- French tarragon Artemisia dracunculus