Rudbeckia 'Early Bird Gold'

Rudbeckia 'Early Bird Gold' is a long-blooming, compact cultivar of black-eyed Susan with bright golden-yellow daisy-like flowers and a dark brown center cone. True to its name, it blooms earlier than traditional varieties—starting in late spring and continuing into fall. This clump-forming perennial is heat- and drought-tolerant, making it an excellent choice for sunny gardens.

It’s a sterile selection of Rudbeckia fulgida, so it won’t self-seed aggressively like some wild types.

Native Range

While 'Early Bird Gold' is a cultivar, its parent species, Rudbeckia fulgida, is native to the eastern and central United States, commonly found in prairies, meadows, and open woodlands.

USDA Hardiness Zones

• Zones 4–9

• Perennial in most of the U.S., including much of Florida.

Size

• Height: 18 to 24 inches

• Width: 18 to 24 inches

• Compact and tidy growth habit.

Growing Conditions

• Light: Full sun (at least 6–8 hours daily); tolerates light shade but may flower less.

• Soil: Moist, well-draining soil; tolerates clay and loamy soils.

• Watering: Moderate. Drought-tolerant once established, but prefers regular watering during dry spells.

• Humidity: Tolerates high humidity.

• Temperature: Withstands summer heat well; hardy in cold winters.

• Fertilizer: Light feeding in spring with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer. Avoid over-fertilizing to prevent floppy growth.

Pruning & Maintenance

• Deadhead spent blooms to extend flowering.

• Cut back to the ground in late fall or early spring to rejuvenate.

• Divide clumps every 3–4 years to maintain vigor.

Uses

• Pollinator Gardens: Excellent nectar source for bees and butterflies.

• Borders and Edges: Neat growth makes it ideal for front or mid-border plantings.

• Mass Plantings: Provides bold color en masse.

• Cut Flower Gardens: Long-lasting blooms for arrangements.

• Low-Maintenance Landscapes: Tough, reliable performer in heat and drought.

---SHIPPING NOTICE PLEASE READ BEFORE PURCHASING LIVE PLANTS!---

 We WILL NOT refund the purchase of or the shipping cost of live plants purchased with the intent to be shipped to states that do not authorize importing live plants or to states with restrictions! Purchases to these states will be held for 30 days for pick-up at our Slidell, Louisiana store and the shipping cost associated with these purchases will be held for the care of the plant while waiting to be picked up. All sales are final. If the plant(s) purchased are not picked up within 30 days from the date of order, these items will be returned to our sales inventory and you WILL NOT be refunded. Thank you for understanding these policies.

Due to regulations, certain states have restrictions on importing plants. Please review the list below to ensure you're not attempting to order any restricted plants in your area.

**Important Note:** We do not ship any plants outside the U.S.

State-Specific Restrictions - We ARE NOT responsible for any plant(s) that are not listed in these restrictions. Purchaser bears all responsibility for making sure the plant(s) they desire to purchase are not banned from being imported to the shipping state:

Arizona: Juglans spp.  

California: Castanea spp., Juglans spp., Pinus spp., Quercus spp.  

Colorado: Some counties restrict Prunus spp. Please verify your local county regulations.  

Florida: Castanea spp., Cornus spp., Quercus spp., Cornus mas 

Georgia: Vaccinium spp.

Hawaii: Pinus spp. 

Idaho: Humulus lupulus, Mentha spp., Vitis spp.

Indiana: Fragraria spp., Rosa spp. 

Kansas: Juglans spp.

Michigan: Abies spp., Vaccinium spp.

Montana: Pinus spp.

Nevada: Allium spp.

Mentha spp. 

New Jersey: Rosa spp.  

New York: Vitis spp.  

Oregon: Allium spp., Castanea spp., Corylus spp., Humulus lupulus, Quercus spp., Sambucus nigra, Ulmus spp., Vaccinium spp., Vitis spp.

Texas: Juglans spp. 

Washington: Allium spp., Castanea spp., Corylus spp., Humulus lupulus, Vaccinium spp., Vitis spp.  

Wisconsin: Abies spp., Pinus spp., Picea spp., Mentha spp. 

Additionally, we cannot ship plants in soil medium to the following states: AK, AL, AR, AZ, CA, HI, ID, KS, MS, MT, ND, NM, NV, OK, OR, SD, TX, UT, WA.