The last week has seen an explosion of rudbeckia hirta on the farm! (Along with dahlias - but that's a different post!) I had never really grown these until this year, when I planted 100 feet of them. I guess I tend to do things all or nothing! Below is how the plants look in the row.
![IMG_6763 rudbeckia hirta in the field at folk art flowers seattle flower farm](https://folkartflowers.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/IMG_6763-e1597381496498.jpg)
But the magic happens in the studio, out of the harsh sunlight of the field. Rudbeckia hirta goes from an "okay, I guess" plant to a MUST GROW plant!
![IMG_6125_good rudbeckia hirta in lower light flatlay floral design floral designer seattle wedding flowers](https://folkartflowers.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/IMG_6125_good.jpg)
![IMG_5979_used rudbeckia hirta bouquet folk art flowers seattle](https://folkartflowers.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/IMG_5979_used.jpg)
Many of these flowers come from rudbeckia hirta "Cherokee Sunset Mix" and "Sahara." It's easy to group by color, or use them together in a mix.
![IMG_6015_used rudbeckia hirta cherokee sunset mix flower farm flower farmer local flowers seattle](https://folkartflowers.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/IMG_6015_used.jpg)
![IMG_6002_used rudbeckia hirta sahara rudbeckia sahara rudbeckia cherokee sunset mix flower farm flower farmer seattle flowers floral design floral designer](https://folkartflowers.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/IMG_6002_used.jpg)
![IMG_5988_used](https://folkartflowers.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/IMG_5988_used.jpg)
I'm also really enjoying rudbeckia "Chim Chiminee" and "Cherry Brandy," which are pictured below. I love the way Chim's petals stick straight out! They are such a cool shape.
![IMG_4672_used](https://folkartflowers.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/IMG_4672_used.jpg)
![IMG_4654_used rudbeckia cherry brandy rudbeckia hirta cherry brandy red rudbeckia flower farm flower farmer seattle flowers seattle wedding florist seattle weddings seattle wedding wedding florist wedding floral designer](https://folkartflowers.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/IMG_4654_used.jpg)
On all these varieties, I also love the chocolate-colored centers. It is such a rich but delicate color at the same time. And we have so many flowers with yellow centers, it's nice to have a little visual contrast! I think that is why I love pairing rudbeckia with dahlias - they can sometimes look like the inverse of one another.
![IMG_6114_used rudbeckia hirta flatlay floral design seattle washington flower farm flower farmer](https://folkartflowers.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/IMG_6114_used.jpg)
I hope my swooning over rudbeckia hirta will help you appreciate this often overlooked flower! It has been super easy to grow, and I've listed all the varieties I planted here. You can find these varieties at Johnny's Seeds, which is one of my favorite seed companies. I started them in the spring, and planted them out after the last frost. They have survived quite a lot of neglect - from sitting in tiny cell trays on my back porch, to not getting weeded enough - and are thriving anyway. They can also perennialize for some people, and self-sow. And the bees love them. Such a wonderful thing to add to your garden!
If you'd like to see these gorgeous stems in a bouquet, you can always sign up for the flower CSA. My CSA customers are getting spoiled with gigantic bouquets lately, and I'll definitely be using more rudbeckia soon!