I am in zone 5, and late last Jul or August I planted several rudbeckia hirta (I think Denver Daisy but I can't remember for sure; the petals were burgundy toward the centers). It seemed to establish well and was still getting blooms well into October. I left it alone - didn't dead head anything or cut it back - until late December, when I did cut it to about 3 inches. I thought it was hardy and a self-seeder, and expected to see it back. It is now mid-May and there is no evidence of any rudbeckia. I planted it with double scoop coneflowers, all of which are coming up nicely. Is it too early still, or should I assume I lost it all? There is quite a bit of mulch down in the area, so maybe it wasn't able to seed well. I don't want to pull them and plant something else there if there is a chance it will still come up, but the empty spot needs filled with something. Thanks!
I am in zone 5, and late last Jul or August I planted several rudbeckia hirta (I think Denver Daisy but I can't remember for sure; the petals were burgundy toward the centers). It seemed to establish well and was still getting blooms well into October. I left it alone - didn't dead head anything or cut it back - until late December, when I did cut it to about 3 inches. I thought it was hardy and a self-seeder, and expected to see it back. It is now mid-May and there is no evidence of any rudbeckia. I planted it with double scoop coneflowers, all of which are coming up nicely. Is it too early still, or should I assume I lost it all? There is quite a bit of mulch down in the area, so maybe it wasn't able to seed well. I don't want to pull them and plant something else there if there is a chance it will still come up, but the empty spot needs filled with something. Thanks!