Growing Green Wizard Rudbeckia Garden Seeds
- Taxonomy: Rudbeckia occidentalis
- Other Names: Coneflower, Western coneflower
- Seed Type: Perennial
- Sow Indoors or Outdoors: Unlike other varieties of rudbeckia that are broadcasted at the final frost like wildflowers, Green Wizard is best started indoors 8 – 10 weeks prior. Transplant to a larger container once two sets of true leaves appear and harden off to a sunny spot with staking for taller plants. Green Wizard will reseed itself in optimal conditions.
- Days to Maturity: 91 - 105 days
- Hardiness Zone: 3 - 9
- Planting Depth: Plant 3 – 4 seeds 1/8” deep or broadcast directly
- Plant Spacing: 18 - 24”
- Growth Habit: 24 – 36” tall bushy upright 18 – 24” wide and several long stem 3 – 5” cones
- Soil Preference: Organically rich, consistently moist, well-drained
- Light Preference: Full sun
- Diseases/Pests/Troubleshooting: Unlike other types of rudbeckias, Green Wizard is not drought tolerant and can be susceptible to downy and powdery mildew if not properly ventilated. Green Wizard tolerates some shade, but too much shade will decrease flowering and vigor. Cut back spent foliage and blooms after flowering to prolong vitality into the fall. No serious pests or diseases, but monitor for slugs and snails on young plants.
- Color: Black 'rayless' coneflowers lined by tiny green petals
Unlike other varieties of rudbeckia that are broadcasted at the final frost like wildflowers, Green Wizard is best started indoors 8 – 10 weeks prior. Transplant to a larger container once two sets of true leaves appear and harden off to a sunny spot with staking for taller plants. Green Wizard will reseed itself in optimal conditions. Sow 3 – 4 Green Wizard rudbeckia seeds 1/8” deep and 18 – 24” apart in organically rich, consistently moist, and well-drained soil in full sun. Unlike other types of rudbeckias, Green Wizard is not drought tolerant and can be susceptible to downy and powdery mildew if not properly ventilated. Green Wizard tolerates some shade, but too much shade will decrease flowering and vigor. Cut back spent foliage and blooms after flowering to prolong vitality into the fall. Rudbeckia has no serious pests or diseases, but monitor for slugs and snails on young plants. Green Wizard rudbeckia seeds mature in 91 – 105 days as 24 – 36” tall bushy uprights with a 18 – 24” spread and several long-stemmed 3 – 5” black 'rayless' coneflowers lined by tiny green petals.
Rudbeckia occidentalis is most commonly known as coneflower or Western coneflower and is native to the moist and high-elevated regions of the American west including the mountainous meadows, banks, and prairies of Montana, Wyoming, Utah, Washington, and California.