Rudbeckia hirta ‘Enchanted Velvet Flame’ (Black-Eyed Susan) 3Ltr
Add rich, velvety tones to your garden with Rudbeckia hirta ‘Enchanted Velvet Flame’, a striking flowering plant known for its deep red, daisy-like blooms and long flowering season. Ideal for borders and containers, this compact variety is a must-have for vibrant late summer colour.
Key Features
- Deep red, velvety blooms with dark red centres for a dramatic display
- Long flowering season – from mid-summer through to autumn
- Compact growth – reaches just 50cm, perfect for small spaces and pots
- Attractive to pollinators – supports bees and other beneficial insects
- Low maintenance – easy to grow and suitable for a range of soils
- Versatile positioning – thrives in full sun or partial shade
Product Description
Rudbeckia hirta ‘Enchanted Velvet Flame’ is a standout in the garden thanks to its bold, velvety flowers in deep red tones with darker, dramatic centres. These daisy-like blooms sit proudly above a mound of bristly green, oval-shaped foliage, offering months of colour from mid-summer into autumn.
This variety grows to around 50cm high and wide, making it an excellent choice for borders, containers, and seasonal displays. While technically a biennial or short-lived perennial, it is often grown as an annual for consistent performance in the first season. Whether planted en masse or mixed with softer tones, it brings depth and richness to any summer planting scheme.
‘Enchanted Velvet Flame’ performs best in moist but well-drained soil, including clay or loam, and can tolerate acidic, alkaline, or neutral pH levels. It’s suitable for both exposed and sheltered locations, and while not fully hardy, it will return in mild UK regions or can be treated as an annual elsewhere.
Specifications
- Latin name: Rudbeckia hirta ‘Enchanted Velvet Flame’
- Common name: Black-Eyed Susan
- Plant type: Biennial or short-lived perennial (often grown as annual)
- Height: Up to 0.5 metres
- Spread: Up to 0.5 metres
- Flower colour: Deep red with velvety dark red centres
- Foliage: Green, bristly, oval-shaped; deciduous
- Flowering time: Mid-summer to autumn
- Position: Full sun or partial shade
- Aspect: South-facing or West-facing
- Exposure: Exposed or Sheltered
- Soil type: Clay or loam
- Soil pH: Acid, alkaline, or neutral
- Moisture: Moist but well-drained
- Hardiness: H3 – Hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5°C to 1°C)
- Time to maturity: 1–2 years
Care Tips
- Plant in well-drained, fertile soil in a sunny or lightly shaded spot
- Water regularly during dry periods, especially in containers
- Deadhead faded blooms to encourage prolonged flowering
- Mulch in spring to retain soil moisture and reduce weed growth
- Protect young plants from slugs and snails
- Treat as an annual in colder regions, or overwinter in mild gardens
Bring drama and depth to your garden with Rudbeckia hirta ‘Enchanted Velvet Flame’ – a bold and easy-to-grow plant that performs beautifully in beds, borders, or containers. A perfect pick for summer displays or as a vibrant gift for any plant lover.
