Rudbeckia Marmalade

Rudbeckia hirta 'Marmalade' Dwarf Black-Eyed Susan 'Marmalade'

The compact container champion — large rich golden-orange daisy flowers with dark brown-to-black eyes on a compact 45cm bushy mound, blooming July to November (often into December in mild gardens). Weather-resistant thick waxy petals that don't turn to mush after heavy rain, exceptional pollinator value, and one of the very longest-flowering plants you can grow from a single packet of seed.

This is the compact container-specialist Black-Eyed Susan that has been earning its place in British garden centres and catalogue listings for decades. At 45cm — significantly shorter than the 60–90cm of 'Autumn Forest' or taller Rudbeckia varieties — 'Marmalade' fits the front-of-border and container positions that taller varieties cannot fill while providing the same generous long-lasting floral display. The large daisy flowers in rich golden-orange with the characteristic dark brown-to-black central eye provide immediate warm confident colour that reads clearly from a distance and glows beautifully in afternoon sun. Weather-resistant thick waxy petals — meaning they don't turn to mush after heavy rain like Petunias do. This is a real and practical distinction in the UK garden, where mid-summer downpours are a reliable feature. Half-hardy annual or short-lived perennial. RHS Plants for Pollinators.

A note on growing

Surface-sow indoors February–April at 18–22°C. Light required for germination. Germination 10–21 days. Seedlings grow slowly initially — patience is required (10–14 weeks from indoor February sowing to first flowers in July). Pot on into individual modules when 2–3 true leaves appear.

Plant out in June in rich moisture-retentive soil. Like 'Autumn Forest', 'Marmalade' demands rich fed conditions — completely opposite to Cosmos and many other late-summer plants. Add plenty of compost to the planting position. Protect young seedlings from slugs for 2–3 weeks after planting out.

Critical container care: Marmalade is one of the thirstier Rudbeckia varieties — in a container in full sun in July–August, daily watering is necessary to prevent wilting and flowering interruption. Weekly liquid tomato feed from July through September maintains the generous flower production. Deadhead every spent flower to maintain continuous flowering through to November.

Where it shines

In containers and large terracotta pots — this is the variety the gardening magazines feature for autumn pot display. The rich golden-orange in a terracotta pot is a combination that has been on autumn gardening magazine covers for decades, and with good reason: the warm burnt-orange reads perfectly against the earthy terracotta background. At the front of cottage borders providing reliable warm colour from July to November. In small space gardens where height is limited. As a slug-resistant alternative to summer bedding (once established, the hairy leaves deter slugs). As cut flowers — the long vase life and bold colour suit autumn warm arrangements.

Plant alongside

The classical purple-and-gold cottage scheme: pair 'Marmalade' with purple Salvia (if stocked) for the timeless designer cottage colour partnership — this combination has been featured in gardening media for generations. For warm cottage borders, combine with Calendula 'Touch of Red' (matching warm autumnal tones) and Cosmos 'Apricotta' (matching apricot-peach softness). For container partnerships, plant alongside Calendula 'Oopsy Daisy' (matching dwarf habit, complementary cream-and-tangerine).