About
Rudbeckia sub. 'Little Henry' is a cultivar of Rudbeckia (family Asteraceae) notable for its daisy-like flower heads with a prominent, raised central disc. The florets are yellow to gold and appear through the summer into autumn. Plants are herbaceous and treated as perennials in suitable conditions. Flowering period: July to October.
About the genus
Rudbeckia is a plant genus in the Asteraceae or composite family. Rudbeckia flowers feature a prominent, raised central disc in black, brown shades of green, and in-between tones, giving rise to their familiar common names of coneflowers and black-eyed-susans. All are native to North America, and many species are cultivated in gardens for their showy yellow or gold flower heads that bloom in mid to late summer.
Wikipedia contributors, "Rudbeckia", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Rudbeckia
In the garden
Rudbeckia sub. 'Little Henry' belongs to the genus Rudbeckia in the Asteraceae and shares the genus’s familiar daisy-type blooms with a distinctly raised central cone. Members of the genus originate from North America and are generally herbaceous perennials that produce clear yellow or gold ray florets around a darker central disc, with bloom concentrated in mid to late summer. Choose a sunny, open spot where the soil drains freely; Rudbeckias perform best where roots are not waterlogged. Incorporate some organic matter at planting to improve structure without creating a permanently moisture-retentive mix. Regular removal of spent flowerheads prolongs the display. If plants form dense clumps after a few seasons, lift and divide in spring to renew vigour and to produce additional planting stock. Use Rudbeckia sub. 'Little Henry' where robust summer and autumn colour is wanted: long border fronts, pollinator-friendly mixed beds, or informal meadow-style schemes. Individual heads hold their shape through the season, so specimens work well close to pathways where the raised cones can be seen at eye level. Flowering runs from July to October, providing reliable late-summer structure in the border.
From the Fenn Plants journal
- Notes on DaffodilsWhen to plant daffodil bulbs in the UK, how deep, how to naturalise them in grass, why daffodils stop flowering (“blindness”), and why you should never mix cut daffodils with other flowers.
- Keeping Your NerveHow to garden through a heatwave — the best time to water, why deep soaks beat daily sprinkles, caring for pots and vulnerable plants, and why you can let the lawn go brown.
- Made to LastHow to clean, store and protect garden pots and planters — the frost-proof vs frost-resistant difference, winter care for terracotta and ceramic, and how to reuse a broken pot.
More in the Rudbeckia genus
- Rudbeckia fulgidablack-eyed Susan
- Rudbeckia fulgida 'Goldsturm'Black-eyed Susan
- Rudbeckia fulgida var. deamiiDeam's coneflower
- Rudbeckia fulgida var. sullivantiiSullivant's coneflower
- Rudbeckia laciniatacut-leaved coneflower
- Rudbeckia laciniata 'Golden Glow'Golden Glow
- Rudbeckia mollisSoft Rudbeckia
- Rudbeckia nitidashining coneflower
