The Case for Cultivars and Hybrids (Rudbeckia)

Did you know that in addition to all of our incredible Native Rudbeckias, we also have a great selection of specially-bred hybrid varieties? 

A swath of Black Eyed Susans at Bountiful Gardens, Hillsborough

In this post, you'll learn:

• What a hybrid plant is!

• Why do they make hybrids in the first place?

• How the hybridization process works

• About some of the best hybrid Rudbeckias you can find at Bountiful Gardens!

Brown-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia triloba) in bloom

You might be thinking, “with all those natives, why would I ever want a hybrid?”

A group of Rubdeckia hirta (Black Eyed Susan) in bloom

Well, hybrid plants can be a great option for small gardens, especially if you're looking for high yields and disease resistance. They often offer better uniformity and can be more predictable in terms of size and growth rate, which is beneficial when space is limited. 

Orange Coneflower (Rudbeckia fulgida) blooming on the upper edges of a rain garden

A lot of people see these beautiful cultivars in the garden center and assume they just... appeared. They don’t see the years of matchmaking that happen.

A closeup on the blooms of Rudbeckia hirta (Black Eyed Susan)

I use the word "Matchmaking"  because it all starts with a goal. 

Rudbeckia has strong, sturdy stems covered in little hairs, making them deer resistant.

Let's say a botanist wants a Rudbeckia that's more compact for smaller city gardens or containers.

A closeup of a Skipper butterfly on a Rudbeckia flower

They start with a parent plant known for a shorter stature, like this one’s ancestor, a type of Rudbeckia fulgida. But maybe it doesn’t have the most impressive blooms. So, they find another parent—a different species or cultivar—that has huge, show-stopping flowers.

A huge patch of Rudbeckia (Black Eyed Susan) blooming in full Summer sun

Then comes the delicate part. 

Using tweezers to emasculate (remove the male parts) a Giant Coneflower--don't worry, it's a good thing!

To make sure they control the parentage, they have to prevent the flower from pollinating itself. They go in with tweezers and perform what’s called emasculation—carefully removing the male parts, the anthers, before they can produce pollen.

A closeup of the male part of a Rudbeckia flower being plucked for hybridization

Then they take a tiny brush, collect pollen from our chosen "father" plant, and gently brush it onto the stigma—the female part—of the "mother" plant. 

Closeup of the fertilization process of Rudbeckia, which will result in a hybrid offspring

Basically they’re playing the part of a pollinator, but with a very specific purpose. After pollination, they wait, protect the flower, let the seeds develop, and then harvest them. But that’s just the beginning!

Dan wrangling the sturdy blooms of Rudbeckia fulgida

They might grow thousands of seeds from that single cross. And from those thousands, they watch and wait. They might only find one or two plants that have the perfect combination they were looking for: the compact size, the big flowers, strong stems, and good health.

Closeup of Rudbeckia fulgida (Black Eyed Susan)

And that’s the real reason these hybrids are so fantastic for the home gardener. They've done the trial and error for you. You aren’t just buying a plant; you’re buying years of selection.

Rudbeckia fulgida (Orange Coneflower) in a Summer perennial garden

Think about it. The classic ‘Goldsturm’ is beautiful, but it can be susceptible to Septoria leaf spot, especially in humid summers like we get here in New Jersey. The leaves may get black spots and look pretty sad by late summer.

Rudbeckia 'American Gold Rush'

But ‘American Gold Rush’? It was specifically selected for its clean foliage. It stays beautiful from summer all the way through fall. It’s a problem-solver plant.

Rudbeckia 'Prairie Sun'

And they can breed for aesthetics, too! Look at ‘Prairie Sun.’ 

Rudbeckia hirta (Black Eyed Susan)

That’s a cultivar of Rudbeckia hirta. It brings a completely different look to the garden. It’s still easy to grow, but it’s a showpiece.

We carry fancy varieties of Rudbeckia with multi-toned petals

And that’s the ultimate goal. To provide the home gardener with plants that are not only beautiful but also resilient, reliable and long-lasting. 

A closeup of Black Eyed Susan

When you plant one of these modern hybrids, you’re planting confidence. You’re getting a plant that was designed to thrive, to fight off disease, and to bring you joy with minimal fuss. It’s a partnership between nature and science, created to make your garden a success.

A large swath of Black Eyed Susan in bloom in a Summer perennial garden

The next time you look at a hybrid variety, keep in mind that for the botanist, It’s not about just making a pretty flower. It's about solving problems for the gardener at home, for you!

A patch of multi-toned Rudebckia

It's also worth noting that hybrid seeds aren’t typically open-pollinated, meaning you can't save seeds from your harvest and expect them to produce plants with the same traits as the parent plant. 

Closeup of red-splashed Black Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia)

If seed saving is important to you, then open-pollinated or heirloom varieties are your best bet.

Various Rudbeckia blooming in a native field at Duke Farms

Now that you know a bit more about these gorgeous hybrid Rudbeckias, come on out and find the perfect one for your garden today! 

Coreopsis 'Sizzle and Spice'

Looking for something different? We have hybrids of Echinacea, Agastache, Coreopsis, Anemone, Lavender and so many more, all bred for their own characteristics.

Echinacea, Rudbeckia and Phlox in a cottage garden setting

Watch all this in video form below!