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Dakota™ Flame Coneflower
Rudbeckia hirta 'Dakota Flame'
Height: 18 inches
Spacing: 20 inches
Sunlight:
Hardiness Zone: (annual)
Other Names: Gloriosa Daisy, Black Eyed Susan
Brand: GreenFuse Botanicals Inc.
Description:
This striking selection features golden-yellow blooms with contrasting near-black flares radiating from the petal bases; flowers from early summer into fall; best treated as an annual; wonderful along borders or in containers; perfect for cutting
Ornamental Features
Dakota™ Flame Coneflower has masses of beautiful yellow daisy flowers with gold overtones, dark brown eyes and a black flare at the ends of the stems from early summer to mid fall, which are most effective when planted in groupings. The flowers are excellent for cutting. Its serrated pointy leaves remain green in colour throughout the season.
Landscape Attributes
Dakota™ Flame Coneflower is an herbaceous annual with an upright spreading habit of growth. Its medium texture blends into the garden, but can always be balanced by a couple of finer or coarser plants for an effective composition.
This is a relatively low maintenance plant, and should be cut back in late fall in preparation for winter. It is a good choice for attracting bees and butterflies to your yard, but is not particularly attractive to deer who tend to leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. It has no significant negative characteristics.
Dakota™ Flame Coneflower is recommended for the following landscape applications;
Planting & Growing
Dakota™ Flame Coneflower will grow to be about 15 inches tall at maturity, with a spread of 24 inches. When grown in masses or used as a bedding plant, individual plants should be spaced approximately 20 inches apart. Although it's not a true annual, this fast-growing plant can be expected to behave as an annual in our climate if left outdoors over the winter, usually needing replacement the following year. As such, gardeners should take into consideration that it will perform differently than it would in its native habitat.
This plant should only be grown in full sunlight. It is very adaptable to both dry and moist locations, and should do just fine under typical garden conditions. It is considered to be drought-tolerant, and thus makes an ideal choice for a low-water garden or xeriscape application. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. Consider applying a thick mulch around the root zone in winter to protect it in exposed locations or colder microclimates. This is a selection of a native North American species. It can be propagated by division; however, as a cultivated variety, be aware that it may be subject to certain restrictions or prohibitions on propagation.
Dakota™ Flame Coneflower is a fine choice for the garden, but it is also a good selection for planting in outdoor pots and containers. It is often used as a 'filler' in the 'spiller-thriller-filler' container combination, providing a mass of flowers against which the larger thriller plants stand out. Note that when growing plants in outdoor containers and baskets, they may require more frequent waterings than they would in the yard or garden.