Toto Gold

Class

Dicotyledons

Division

Angiospermae

Family

Asteraceae or Compositae

Order

Asterales

Genus

Rudbeckia

Species

hirta

Description

Biennial ornamental herb up to 45 cm tall, suitable for full sun exposition, with upright habit and very vigorous growth. Ideal for landscape use, either in isolated groups or in compositions with other ornamentals, to form brightly coloured borders in warm shades, also perfect in planters and large tubs. Flowering takes the form of a profusion of daisy-like flowers, grouped in the typical flower head inflorescence that distinguishes the Rudbeckia genus , which are well liked by useful insects such as butterflies and bumblebees.

Varietal description

Rudbeckia toto with its dark golden yellow daisy-like flowers is recommended for landscape use in arrangements with other blooms to form brightly coloured borders. They are very attractive to bees and butterflies. The toto variety differs from similar varieties (e.g. amarillo gold) due to its dark brown flower head and low, compact habit. Excellent results can also be obtained in large tubs to create colourful patches together with other flowering or leafy plants such as ipomea or coleus. It is a recommended species for summer cultivation in greenhouses, while early transplanting in flowerbeds is not recommended when outdoor temperatures are not permanently above 13°c. The plant is ideal for full sun exposures, but will last longer in half-shade. In the greenhouse, in order to keep the plant compact and well trained, the use of high dose phytoregulators is recommended from the third week after transplanting. Avoid dry spells during cultivation.

curiosity and special features

The generic term, Rudbeckia, was given to it by C. Linnaeus in honour of his predecessors, the Swedish botanists father and son Rudbeck; the species name, hirta, refers to the down on the leaves and stems. Some varieties are also used as cut flowers for fresh arrangements and bouquets as well as in herbalism.

Origin and Diffusion

Native to North America, it was nicknamed 'Black-eyed Susan' by the first British settlers who, when they arrived in the New World, were fascinated by the flowers with golden daisy-like petals and dark flower heads; introduced to Europe in the late 17th century as an ornamental plant, it is now naturalised in many European areas where the wild species can also grow wild below the mountain belt.

Flower size

Medium-floweredvarieties.

Leaf

Leaf blade is lanceolate.

Flowering period

Flowering lasts from late spring to early autumn for between 120 and 150 days, allowing us to enjoy its inflorescences in gardens and terraces during warmer periods.

Inflorescence

Inflorescence head, typical of Species belonging to the botanical Family Asteraceae.

Leaf color

Solid colours.

Plant height

The height of the plant varies from 0.22 to 0.35 m, making it ideal both for creating isolated, homogenous, monochrome groups and for mixed compositions with other ornamental plants of different lengths in order to create sinuous movements and landscape perspective views.

Lifespan

Biennialherb.

Suggested planting locations

Best used as bedding plants , outdoor tubs, borders, planters

Stem/stem

The stem is herbaceous and covered with thick hair; the variety has no thorns.

Flower

The flower is daisy-shaped, medium-sized, with a dialipetal corolla and plain petals. It is arranged in head-like inflorescences of medium size. It flowers from late spring to early autumn, with a flowering period of between 120 and 150 days. It is attractive to bees, butterflies and bumblebees.

Growth

It has a Medium-Vigorous Growth becoming one of the most prevalent blooms in the garden, a focal point of significant ornamental value.

Plant habit

Erect in habit of growth, it creates fantastic perspective effects in Composition with other ornamental Species of different heights.

branching

The development of the plant is realised with Medium branching of the aerial part.

pH

The optimal pH of the soil or medium for rudbeckia is sub-acidic, between 5.8 and 6.2.

soil preparation

Before transplanting in late spring, carry out light digging removing any weeds, previous crop residues and bulky stones. Continue by burying slow-release organic or chemical fertiliser and break up coarser clods to obtain greater softness and improve fertiliser distribution. To improve drainage of excess water, preventing damaging water stagnation, create a raised bed by lightly bouldering. Finally, add professional substrate for flowering plants to the surface by approx. 5/10 cm and carefully level out.

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sun exposure

It expresses its best vegetative development in half shade, full sun; if possible, expose the plant to maximum light for optimum flowering, ensuring it is watered in proportion to its needs.

Ideal climate and temperature

The biological temperature is between 7 and 32 °C. The ideal temperature is between 16 and 18 °C. It is well adapted to hot summer climates.

Use

The prevalent use is in the following areas:

Exterior Landscape Design Landscaping

Hardiness

Variety of medium hardiness, tolerates summer heat well.

Soil/medium

The ideal soil is what is known as medium-textured soil, in which sand, clay and silt are balanced to achieve adequate porosity and proper drainage; for use in tubs or planters, a substrate for spring plants based on fibrous peat and perlite, which is light and well draining, is recommended.

Maintenance

Easy tocultivate, it requires a medium level of management on the whole; following the correct cultivation instructions regarding exposure, irrigation and fertilisation will lead to excellent growth and flowering results.

cultivation tips

For best performance in a flowerbed or pot, consider the following cultivation conditions:

With little light the plants will not flower Expose the plant to maximum light Keep the substrate dry at low temperatures

Composition

Flower-bed compositions with other ornamentals such as Begonia semperflorens, Calluna vulgaris, Ipomea x hybrida, Lobularia maritima, Lobularia x hybrida, Petunia grandiflora, Salvia farinacea, Solenostemon, Tagetes patula, according to polychromatic combinations, are of great decorative effect.

planting

For bed planting we recommend an average density of 22 plants per square metre to ensure the correct development of each specimen, thus obtaining a proportionate and compact final composition that best expresses the aesthetic value of the plant with its spring-summer blooms. We suggest placing each seedling on a raised bed with the collar outside the soil surface, taking care not to damage the roots and avoiding completely sinking the root balls, which must be well moistened; finally, water immediately after planting, preferably during the morning hours.

pruning

Remove the dried Flower with scissors or remove it manually by detaching it at the peduncle insertion on the stem.

Reproduction/Propagation

It can be multiplied by root cuttings or by seed.

Irrigation

Use rainwater, or alternatively water from the aqueduct, by hand watering or with an irrigation system. When transplanting, water abundantly for the first time, then take care to allow the soil or substrate to dry slightly between watering, but avoid excessive desiccation and water stress resulting in dry, grey leaf edges. Do not water the aerial part of the plant during the afternoon or evening.

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Fertilization

During pre-transplant soil preparation, carry out basic fertilisation with organic or slow-release chemical fertiliser. During the spring-summer period, following proper post-transplant settlement, regularly apply a balanced fertiliser suitable for ornamental Species to the soil or medium at the foot of the plant, to be distributed in liquid form, i.e. diluted in the irrigation water, without exceeding the frequency and doses applied.

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Pet friendly

Toxicity not known. Avoid administration.

Edibility for humans

Inedible.

Human toxicity

Toxicity not known. Avoid ingestion.

advise 1

Early transplanting to a flower bed, when outdoor temperatures are not permanently above 13°C, is not recommended. The plant is ideal for full sun exposures, but will last longer in half-shade. The plant has continuous flowering throughout the summer. To keep it more beautiful, it is advisable to remove the dried flowers. Rudbeckia Toto has medium water requirements, higher than the perennial R. Fulgida, which must be ensured during the hottest summer days to avoid stress and damage to the foliage that can manifest itself as browning and leaf necrosis.