Rudbeckia hirta 'Goldilocks' – Radiant, robust annual bloomer

Rudbeckia hirta 'Goldilocks' is an annual, sunflower-like plant known for its bright yellow flowers with a contrasting dark center and long blooming period. This variety is ideal for gardens, borders, flowerbeds, and cut flowers, adding a cheerful, summery touch to any garden. 'Goldilocks' combines striking color, robust growth, and ease of care, making it a favorite with both amateur gardeners and professional growers.

Characteristics of Rudbeckia hirta 'Goldilocks'

'Goldilocks' develops sturdy, upright stems 50–70 cm tall, each crowned with large, golden-yellow flowers with a dark brown center. The flowers bloom from late spring to early autumn, providing gardens with long-lasting color and visual impact.

Key Features:

• Flower colour: Bright golden yellow with a contrasting brown centre.

• Flowering period: June to September, long-lasting and reliable flowering.

• Height: 50–70 cm, perfect for medium-sized borders and groups.

• Leaf: Dark green, slightly hairy, forms an attractive base for the flowers.

Its vibrant flowers and structure make Rudbeckia hirta 'Goldilocks' not only an eye-catcher in the garden, but also ecologically valuable by attracting bees, butterflies, and other pollinators.

Cultivation and care

Rudbeckia hirta 'Goldilocks' is a low-maintenance annual plant that grows well in various soil types and weather conditions.

Important cultivation advice:

• Location: Sun to partial shade for optimal flowering.

• Soil: Well-drained, nutritious and slightly moist; avoid waterlogging.

• Water: Water regularly during dry periods; mature plants are drought tolerant.

• Care: Remove spent flowers (deadheading) to prolong flowering.

• Sow: Sow indoors from March-April in seed trays, transplant after the frost; or directly into the ground from April-May.

'Goldilocks' grows quickly and produces sturdy, upright flowers, ideal for solitary use, group plantings or borders.

Harvest and applications

Although Rudbeckia hirta 'Goldilocks' is primarily an ornamental plant, it also makes an excellent cut flower. Its sturdy stems and striking flowers make it an excellent choice for bouquets, flower arrangements, and decorative uses. In the garden, this variety provides long-lasting color and a sunny appearance, ideal for borders, flower beds, and window boxes.

Benefits of Rudbeckia hirta 'Goldilocks'

1. Bright and striking: Bright yellow flowers with a dark center create visual impact.

2. Long flowering period: From late spring to early autumn.

3. Annual simplicity: Easy to sow and maintain.

4. Attractive to pollinators: Supports bees, butterflies and other insects.

5. Versatile use: Solitary, in groups, in borders or as a cut flower.

Why choose Rudbeckia hirta 'Goldilocks'?

Rudbeckia hirta 'Goldilocks' combines beautiful color, robust growth, and versatile uses in a single plant. For gardeners, this means a long period of color and life in the garden with minimal care. For professional applications such as municipal planting, commercial borders, or cut flower production, 'Goldilocks' offers consistent quality, strong stems, and an ecologically valuable plant.

With Rudbeckia hirta 'Goldilocks' you bring a radiant, low-maintenance annual into your home that will give borders, flowerbeds, and flower boxes a sunny appearance well into the summer.