BattenBlooms
PL. —Rudbeckia hirta 'Campfire'Botanical illustration — drop image
Rudbeckia hirta 'Campfire'

Campfire Rudbeckia

SummerFall
3a–7bHardiness zone
Peak bloom windowZone 6b · frost-offset weeks
Winter
Not in bloom
Spring
Peak bloom
Summer
Peak bloom
Fall
Not in bloom
Peak bloom
In bloom
Background

Campfire is a named cultivar of the native Black-Eyed Susan — the difference is the flower. Where the straight species (see [Black-Eyed Susan](redibeckia)) is plain golden-orange, Campfire opens in warm bicolour tones: gold ray petals flushed with mahogany and russet around the dark cone, every bloom slightly different. It blooms from midsummer to frost and makes an excellent cut flower.

This is a stub — Campfire is a Hudson Valley Seed introduction, and the cleanest way to grow it true is to start from their seed.

Good companions
Rudbeckia hirtaEchinacea purpureaScabiosa columbaria
Care guide
SunFull sun
WaterLow to moderate; drought tolerant once established
SoilAverage to poor, well-draining; tolerates clay
Spacing6–12 inches
Height12–36 inches
Zone3a – 7b
Native RegionAL, AR, AZ, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WA, WI, WV, WY
Direct sowFrost hardy
Seasonal tasks
spring
sowDirect sow in spring or autumn; treat as a short-lived perennial that self-seeds
summer
cutCut when ray petals are fully open and the disc is firm; excellent 7–10 day vase life
fall
watchLeave seed heads through winter for finches and winter structure
Common problems

Powdery mildew

Symptoms

White or grey powdery coating on leaves — usually starting on older growth in humid conditions or when nights cool.

Treatment

Improve air circulation by thinning plants. Apply neem oil or potassium bicarbonate spray at first sign. Avoid overhead watering.