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| Rudbeckia 'Henry Eilers' |
From Walters Gardens inc.:
Botanical Name: Rudbeckia subtomentosa'Henry Eilers'rud-BEK-ee-ah sub-toe-men-TOE-sahCommon Name: 'Henry Eilers' sweet coneflowerGenus: Rudbeckia
The unique, finely quilled, 2-inch-wide flowers are what make 'Henry Eilers' stand out from the rest of the coneflowers. The petals sit separate from one another, forming a brilliant, golden yellow starburst around a dark brownish purple cone. The blooms grow on strong, upright, 4- to 5-foot-tall stems in late summer, and are produced in such abundance that you can cut some for bouquets and you'll never even notice they are missing from the garden. The stems are covered with a soft, hairy down, while the leaves have a pleasing vanilla-and-anise scent.Noteworthy characteristics: Drought tolerant and low maintenance. Good cut flower. Seed heads attract birds. This plant was discovered in Illinois.Care: Plant in full sun to light shade and average loam. Do not overfeed or overwater.Problems: Infrequent.
Height 3 ft. to 6 ft. Spread 1 ft. to 3 ft. Growth Habit Clumps Light Full Sun to Part Shade Moisture Medium Moisture Maintenance Low Tolerance Drought Tolerant Characteristics Attracts Birds; Attracts Butterflies; Fragrant Foliage; Native; Self Seeds; Showy Flowers Bloom Time Early Fall; Late Summer Flower Color Yellow Flower Uses Beds and Borders, Cut Flower, Naturalizing, Cottage Garden Style Meadow Garden Seasonal Interest Summer Interest, Fall Interest Type Perennials
Rudbeckia subtomentosa 'Henry Eilers' |  |
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| Common Name: Coneflower-Sweet |
If you're looking for something different in fall blooming perennials, check out 'Henry Eilers'. Brilliant yellow starburst flowers measuring two inches across have completely quilled petals and a brown button center. They are presented atop 4-5 foot tall upright stems beginning in August and continue blooming into fall. They blend well with other fall blooming perennials such as asters and ornamental grasses.
'Henry Eilers' was discovered by Mr. Henry Eilers in a wild population of R. subtomentosa growing along a stream bank in Illinois. Mr. Eilers is an expert on the native flora of the Illinois region, a life long horticulturist, and a retired nurseryman.
R. subtomentosa is a tall, narrowly upright plant with fuzzy stems and flowers which are closer to yellow than gold in color. This species is a bit more shade tolerant than R. fulgida. Both fresh and dried foliage alike has the distinct scent of vanilla, an added bonus when used in bouquets.
R. subtomentosa occurs naturally in portions of the midwest, Ozark highlands, and southern Great Plains. It can be found in prairies, along streams, and in open wooded areas.
'Henry Eilers' was discovered by Mr. Henry Eilers in a wild population of R. subtomentosa growing along a stream bank in Illinois. Mr. Eilers is an expert on the native flora of the Illinois region, a life long horticulturist, and a retired nurseryman.
R. subtomentosa is a tall, narrowly upright plant with fuzzy stems and flowers which are closer to yellow than gold in color. This species is a bit more shade tolerant than R. fulgida. Both fresh and dried foliage alike has the distinct scent of vanilla, an added bonus when used in bouquets.
R. subtomentosa occurs naturally in portions of the midwest, Ozark highlands, and southern Great Plains. It can be found in prairies, along streams, and in open wooded areas.
Rudbeckias like full sun, but they also will do well in partial shade. This species is a bit more shade tolerant than R. fulgida. Plant them in well-drained, average soil. Do not overfeed or overwater. Remove spent flowers to promote rebloom. Rudbeckias are very easy to divide in the spring.
Breeder: Henry Eilers
Origin: Native Cultivar
CHARACTERISTICS:
Height:
4-5 Feet
4-5 Feet
Spread:
2-3 Feet
2-3 Feet
Flower Color:
Yellow Shades
Yellow Shades
Foliage Color:
Green shades
Green shades
Sun or Shade?:
Full sun (> 6 hrs. direct sun)
Part shade (4-6 hrs. direct sun)
Full sun (> 6 hrs. direct sun)
Part shade (4-6 hrs. direct sun)
Wet or dry?:
Low water needs
Average water needs
Low water needs
Average water needs
Want to see wings?:
Attracts butterflies
Attracts hummingbirds
Attracts hummingbirds
How fast should it grow?: Medium
From our source at North Creek Nurseries:
Henry Eilers sweet coneflower or sweet black-eyed Susan
Our friend Larry Lowman of Ridgecrest Nursery in Wynne, Arkansas graciously gave us this marvelous plant. It was collected from a railroad prairie remnant* in southern Illinois and named for the man who found it, Henry Eilers, a horticulturist and retired nurseryman. Basal leaves appear in early spring and flowering stalks begin their ascent in June, reaching five to six feet and full flower by August, often staying in bloom into September. 'Henry Eilers' has finely quilled flowers of true yellow, not gold, and is stunning in a mass planting. It has captivated many visitors who have seen it here and motivated them to ask us to grow it. The leaves of Rudbeckia subtomentosa are sweetly scented with a subtle vanilla fragrance. It is lovely with Joe-Pyes and grasses, and it blooms with the Hibiscus hybrids and makes a great companion for them as well. 'Henry Eilers' has undeniable potential as a cut flower with its unique appearance, sturdy straight stems and long vase life.
Height4-5 Feet |  | Spread2-3 Feet |
Bloom Color
YellowUSDA Hardiness Zone 5-7
Interesting Notes
* Prairie Remnants from Larry Loman
In this region, in many counties, the only remnant of any virgin, unplowed prairie that remains is along railroad tracks. When the railroads were originally built in the 1800's, if they were going over a natural prairie, all they had to do was lay down the wooden crossties, pack in bed fill, and lay the rails....the remaining right-of-way remained essentially undisturbed. In many locales, a road also was constructed parallel to new tracks, so that the few hundred feet of railroad right-of-way trapped between the tracks and the road remained unplowed to this day, and in many areas has reserved a remarkable diversity of prairie species. In most areas, accidental fires happen fairly regularly, which enhances the vigor of the prairie vegetation.
In this region, in many counties, the only remnant of any virgin, unplowed prairie that remains is along railroad tracks. When the railroads were originally built in the 1800's, if they were going over a natural prairie, all they had to do was lay down the wooden crossties, pack in bed fill, and lay the rails....the remaining right-of-way remained essentially undisturbed. In many locales, a road also was constructed parallel to new tracks, so that the few hundred feet of railroad right-of-way trapped between the tracks and the road remained unplowed to this day, and in many areas has reserved a remarkable diversity of prairie species. In most areas, accidental fires happen fairly regularly, which enhances the vigor of the prairie vegetation.
Rudbeckia subtomentosa is native from Michigan to Texas with the highest populations in Illinois, Missouri and Arkansas. For a full map of native range visit the USDA Plants Page
For more information on this plant and its introduction click here.
Growing and Maintenance Tips
Rudbeckia subtomentosa is a vigorous, but very manageable perennial that favors average to moist soils and full sun to part shade. It is quite tolerant of heat and humidity, but will not withstand long periods of drought.
Characteristics & Attributes
Attributes
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| Growth Rate
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Season of Interest (Flowering)
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