Gloriosa Daisy Seeds – Rudbeckia hirta

Warm-Color Daisies for Sunny Borders and Bouquets

Gloriosa Daisy (Rudbeckia hirta) brings bold, daisy-like blooms to sunny beds and cutting gardens. Flowers feature warm shades of gold and yellow, with some showing bronze, burgundy or mahogany markings around dark centers. Seed-grown plants vary in color and flower form.

Plant a group along a cottage-garden border and cut a few stems for a cheerful kitchen vase. The upright plants add warm seasonal color without needing a separate color selection.

What You Receive

Seeds for planting, not live plants or cut flowers. Choose from:

• 500 seeds
• 2,000 seeds
• 1/4 oz
• 1 oz, listed as approximately 100,000 seeds
• 1/4 lb
• 1 lb

Counts in weight-based packs are estimates and vary by lot. Individual flower colors and double blooms are not guaranteed.

Plant Details

• Botanical name: Rudbeckia hirta.
• Common name: Gloriosa Daisy, a garden form of Black-Eyed Susan.
• Life cycle: Often grown as an annual; plants may behave as biennials or short-lived perennials depending on conditions.
• Approximate height: 24–36 inches.
• Flowers: Large daisy-like blooms, around 3 inches across under suitable conditions, in warm yellow, gold and bicolored tones.
• Light: Full sun.
• Soil: Well-drained garden soil; avoid prolonged waterlogging.
• Uses: Cottage gardens, beds, borders and cut-flower plantings.

Small Seeds: Keep Them at the Surface

These small seeds need light for germination. Sow sparingly on pre-moistened seed-starting mix and press gently into contact with the surface. Do not bury under a thick layer of soil. Mist gently or water from below so seeds are not washed away.

Starting from Seed

• Indoor start: Sow approximately 6–8 weeks before the last expected frost.
• Temperature: Aim for approximately 70–75°F during germination.
• Moisture: Keep the surface consistently moist but not saturated.
• Germination: Allow approximately 7–30 days; timing varies with seed and growing conditions.
• Seedling care: Provide bright light, airflow and room for roots to develop.
• Transplanting: Gradually acclimate seedlings to outdoor conditions before planting out after frost danger has passed.
• Spacing: Set plants approximately 12–18 inches apart.
• Direct sowing: Sow into a prepared, weed-free seedbed in spring when conditions are suitable. Press seed onto the surface and keep it lightly moist.

Growing and Flowering

Water regularly while seedlings establish, then adjust watering to weather and soil moisture. Avoid letting young plants dry out completely, and provide drainage and airflow around mature plants. Mulch lightly to reduce weeds without covering the crowns.

Flowering commonly occurs in summer into early fall, depending on sowing date and climate. Early-started plants may flower in their first season; later sowings can take longer. Do not rely on plants returning as long-lived perennials.

Growing in Containers

Use a roomy planter with drainage holes and a free-draining potting mix. Place it in full sun, avoid crowding and check moisture frequently during hot weather. Let excess water drain away rather than leaving the pot standing in water. Provide discreet support if tall stems need it in an exposed position.

Cut Flowers and Seasonal Cleanup

Cut freshly opened blooms with clean snips and place stems promptly in clean water, removing foliage below the water line. Remove faded flowers to encourage continued bloom and keep plants tidy.

Leave a few seed heads if you want to allow self-sowing, or remove them before seeds mature to limit volunteers. New seedlings can vary from the parent plants. Returning seedlings are not a guarantee that the original plants survived winter.