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Which Rudbeckia was Monty Don referring to yesterday 25th on Gardeners world?

young codgeryoung codger Posts: 543
in Plants
 Yesterday I watched Monty digging up and dividing some 'clumps' of Rudbeckia. He mentioned the type, but I could  not tell what he said.  He also mentioned they grow around 5 or 6 feet tall. 

I used to grow Rudbecks each year, but did not know some grow that tall. Did anyone see the program? I would like to grow some of the type he was referring to.
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  • LunarSeaLunarSea Posts: 1,923
    'laciniata' was the variety he mentioned but several of us don't think the flower they showed was actually Rudbeckia but Helianthus instead. Either the production team showed the wrong photo or Monty's got his facts wrong - jury's out  :|
    Clay soil - Cheshire/Derbyshire border. 

    I play with plants and soil and sometimes it's successful
  • Simone_in_WiltshireSimone_in_Wiltshire Posts: 1,073
    edited March 2022
    To me, it looked like a Helianthus too, as I have such plant in my garden. While watching it, I thought that the flower is too small for a Rudbeckia.

    I ♥ my garden.

  • Garden GnomessGarden Gnomess Posts: 74
    Just Googled laciniata and the flowers are very different to the ones shown on Gw, much more cone flower shape - very nice 👌 
  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 12,585
    edited March 2022
    I thought that the plant Monty mentioned (the Rudbeckia) had the same or similar leaves to the plant he was dividing, but the plant in the photograph was a Helianthus.
    If you're looking for something tall you could try this
    https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/34041/helianthus-atrorubens-monarch/details
    or Helianthus "Lemon Queen"
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    @ Helianthus  Lemon Queen is far superior to H laciniata. I have grown a huge clump of it for years. Each spring I dig it up replenish the soil and divide each piece into three. One piece goes back and I give away the rest. The reason for doing this is it never gets as tall and it does not flop over.
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • young codgeryoung codger Posts: 543
    There is not much gets past the members on here, well spotted-very observant. 

    I like the idea of having a tall perennial with a decent sized flower head. I'm  willing to put support sticks in.

     If any member is willing to post me a small piece, I will pay for postage & plant. Paypal OR method of your choice. 


  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    My experience is also that helianthus are far easier  and stronger-growing than rudbeckia in my garden. I suspect rudbeckia prefer a wetter soil than I can give them. Lemon Queen is easy peasy and a lovely clear yellow with no hint of orange/rusty tones, only gets to about 6 ft here but I've seen it much taller (10ft or so at Harlow Carr). Goes great with my blue/mauve aster Little Carlow.
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • young codgeryoung codger Posts: 543
    edited March 2022
    AnniD said:
    I thought that the plant Monty mentioned (the Rudbeckia) had the same or similar leaves to the plant he was dividing, but the plant in the photograph was a Helianthus.
    If you're looking for something tall you could try this
    https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/34041/helianthus-atrorubens-monarch/details
    or Helianthus "Lemon Queen"
    Regarding the Helianthus options, this one appeals to me because of the decent sized flower head-15cm/6 inch apparently. 

    @AnniD
    Shall I pm my address, let me know cost. :/

  • nutcutletnutcutlet Posts: 27,445
    I just had to go and look, it's been posted on Youtube. Monty speaks of Rudbeckia laciniata, the leaves he shows are R. laciniata. But the still thrown in to illustrate is, as suggested, a helianthus. Rudbeckias aren't called 'Coneflowers' for no reason


    In the sticks near Peterborough
  • LG_LG_ Posts: 4,360
    So it's a production team error rather than Monty getting his own plants wrong? Did you comment on the video? Someone definitely should!
    'If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.'
    - Cicero
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