Rudbeckia Maxima

Trial: Perennial

Years Trialed: 1998, 1999

Good Qualities

Year 1

Long stems (4); Unusual; Clean foliage; Very bold presentation; Seed heads dried well; Lasted well in vase.

Year 2

Very tall (2); Dramatic, unusual; Large flowers, needs no support, good flower form; Good cultivar.


Problems

Year 1

Didn't flower heavily in first year (2); Every critter wants to take a bit of this plant. Flea beetles in spring on foliage, beetles on flower, etc. Also, develops powdery mildew easily; Poor flower.

Year 2

Didn’t get any flowers before frost this year. Never did very well anyway. It’s okay. I didn’t like it anyway!; Powdery mildew, insect drawer, primarily just not enough demand; Too much plant/stem, not enough flower, no flowers were marketable; Mildew.


Comments

Year 1

Looks good. Establishing well; These plants must be sprayed (insecticide) or blooms become quickly unsaleable. This is definitely a specialty cut flower.; Great plant but maybe a bit to novel for mass sales (our market); Didn't market any; Huge plants without much production. I doubt this one will make it through the winter and I'm not sure I care.

Year 2

I thought this would develop into a great plant and demand would be high but good looking stems are hard to find and demand limited so I’ve just pulled all mine out.



Trial Data

Year 1

Rudbeckia maxima
Yield (stems/plant) Stem Length (inches) Market Appreciation Rating¹ Repeat Again Rating¹ Ease of Cultivation Rating¹
Average 2.8 51.3 2.4 2.4 4.8
¹1 to 5 scale, with 5 being the best. Market ratings are based on sales to wholesalers, retailers, or final consumers direct.

Year 2



Rudbeckia maxima
Yield (stems/plant) Stem Length (inches) Market Appreciation Rating¹ Repeat Again Rating¹ Ease of Cultivation Rating¹
Average 7.6 40.5 2.2 1.8 4.0


¹1 to 5 scale, with 5 being the best. Market ratings are based on sales to wholesalers, retailers, or final consumers direct.

Supplier




Grow’n Sell
320 Lower State Rd.
Chalfont, PA 18914
215-822-1276
FAX 215-997-1770