Rudbeckia

MaireadC

I planted Rudbeckia for the first time last year and they were gorgeous. They kept on flowering in November and December so I never cut them down, apart from deadheading. Now I have really straggly plants and am wondering should I cutthem down now or will new growth come? Or have I just messed up for this year?😬 

chicky

I’d cut them back to the base rosette now - if they have managed to overwinter (sometimes my do, sometimes they don’t) they will grow back nicely and flower earlier than ones grown from seed this year

MaireadC

Great thanks for that. Do you mean cut to the lowest flower or lowest leaf? Sorry not quite sure...

Loxley

The basal rosette means the cluster of leaves at the base. Cut everything away except that. This variety of rudbeckia is short lived and usually grown as an annual, you're lucky they've come through this cold winter. 

MaireadC

Thanks for that. Yes a lot of things seem to have continued through winter this year here. (I’m in Dublin not too far from the sea so it didn’t get too cold)
I’ve just cut them down so fingers crossed for more flowers this summer😊 I appreciate the advice.