Rudbeckia occidentalis Green Wizard

Rudbeckia occidentalis 'Green Wizard' is a tall perennial plant that offers a very peculiar and graphic flowering in the summer, which can be observed up close in bouquets or from a distance in the background of flowerbeds. Its heads are composed of a collar of fresh green bracts, resembling foliage, surrounding a large spherical and prominent cone where black dominates, bordering on violet, dotted here and there with stamens covered in golden pollen. Easy to cultivate, quickly forming a large clump, abundantly adorned with lush foliage, this 'Green Wizard' requires full sun and a rich, moist to wet soil to thrive. Its long-lasting flowers will bring incomparable freshness to both fresh and dried floral arrangements.

The rudbeckia belongs to the asteraceae family. Rudbeckia occidentalis, also known as Western Coneflower, is a sturdy perennial native to the northwest of the USA, where it grows in moist meadows in the mountains and along riverbanks at altitudes above 1200m (3937ft). 'Green Wizard' is a unique cultivar. It is a rhizomatous herbaceous plant that develops mostly unbranched stems, reaching a minimum height of 1.5m (5ft) with a spread of 70cm (28in). The flowers bloom from July to September with no ligulate flowers. Each head is composed of a central disk in the shape of a large conical and cylindrical head (10cm (4in) long and 6cm (2in) wide) made up of numerous dark violet to black tubular flowers. This cone is surrounded at the base by a collar of small, undeveloped green foliose bracts. The lower leaves are ovate and pointed (15cm (6in) long), with toothed edges, appearing in basal tufts. The cauline leaves are smaller and sessile (without petioles) with a rounded to cordate base.

Both an architectural plant and an accent plant, the Western Coneflower quickly structures your flowerbeds with its compact, rounded habit and at the same time offers an ornamental interest that is out of the ordinary. Its strong presence requires it to be associated with short-lived flowering plants, such as evening primroses (Oenothera versicolor Sunset Boulevard), tall thistles (Milk Thistle, Cardoon, Burdock), and inulas, in a cottage garden or by the edge of water features. Its extraordinary flowers will be enhanced by those of cat tails and the graphic design of tall miscanthus grasses (Miscanthus sinensis Yaku-jima, Miscanthus sinensis Silberspinne, Miscanthus transmorrisonensis).

All Rudbeckia species are dye plants (especially R. hirta and R. laciniata) due to the presence of flavonols in their tissues. The inflorescences used alone produce yellow-orange colours, while the whole plant provides yellow-green shades.