As summer begins to wind down, Sunbeckia are just getting started. With their oversized, richly colored blooms and long-lasting flower power, these striking plants are an easy way to bring fresh color to gardens, patios and entryways as we head into fall.
A hybrid form of Rudbeckia, Sunbeckia combine the familiar look of traditional Black-Eyed Susans with larger flowers, bold colors and an impressive bloom season. Their daisy-like blossoms stand above sturdy foliage and provide the warm yellows, oranges and reds that look right at home alongside mums, asters and other seasonal plants.
Big Blooms for Late-Summer and Fall Color
One of the biggest reasons to add Sunbeckia to your fall display is simply the size and impact of the flowers. Individual blooms can be impressively large, creating plenty of color without requiring a large number of plants.
They're a great choice for porch displays, patios, garden beds and mixed fall plantings. Use them on their own for a bold splash of color or combine them with mums, ornamental grasses and other seasonal plants for a layered autumn look.
At Estabrook's, our current Sunbeckia selection includes several distinctive varieties:
- Sunbeckia 'Caramel' – Warm orange and caramel-colored petals surrounding a dark center give this variety a classic autumn appearance.
- Sunbeckia 'Cherry' – Deep cherry-red flowers offer a rich alternative to the yellows and oranges traditionally associated with Rudbeckia.
- Sunbeckia 'Scarlet' – Vibrant reddish-scarlet blooms make this an eye-catching choice for adding deeper color to fall combinations.
- Sunbeckia 'Lucia' – Bright golden-yellow flowers with dark centers deliver the classic Black-Eyed Susan look on a bigger, bolder scale.
Easy Fall Color
Sunbeckia perform best in full sun and appreciate regular watering, particularly when grown in containers. Removing faded flowers will help keep plants looking their best and encourage them to continue producing new blooms.
Their sturdy habit also makes them especially useful for seasonal decorating. Place a few around an entryway, add them to a sunny patio or use them to fill gaps in the garden where earlier-blooming plants have begun to fade.
A Fresh Alternative to Fall Mums
Mums may be the traditional stars of the fall garden, but they aren't the only option. Sunbeckia offer a different look while still providing the rich colors we associate with autumn.
Their oversized flowers make an immediate statement, and the mix of gold, orange, cherry and scarlet makes it easy to coordinate them with pumpkins, grasses and other fall d�cor. They're also a natural choice for gardeners who love Black-Eyed Susans but want something a little more unusual for their late-season displays.
If you're ready to refresh your containers or garden for the season ahead, stop by Estabrook's in Yarmouth or Kennebunk and check out our selection of Sunbeckia while they're available. With big blooms and beautiful fall colors, they're an easy way to keep the garden looking fresh as summer gives way to autumn.