Delighted with how well Rudbeckia Tiger Eye Gold did last season, it has been chosen as Chatham-Kent’s Flower of the Year again for 2011!

To create a unifying effect, CiB (Communities in Bloom) National judges encourage participating communities to adopt a Flower of the Year. Sharing a common flower or colour theme in public display gardens, community entrances, as well as residential properties nicely ties things together. Chatham-Kent’s volunteer CiB committee members therefore brainstorm each fall to come up with a flower for the following season. To suit the widest range of floral displays possible, a lot is taken into consideration before the decision is made. The ideal plant must be one that compliments a wide range of other plants and colour themes, looks great alone or can be easily incorporated into any established theme or display, and it should be heat and drought tolerant to do well in our local conditions. Past choices the Municipality easily grew fond of were annual Blue Salvia and the Red Dragon Wing Begonia.

Tiger Eye Gold is a new and improved hybrid annual Rudbeckia. It is very hardy, mildew resistant, and bears masses of long lasting 3” diameter deep gold flowers from early summer until mid autumn. It is a low care, sun-loving specimen that grows 18”- 24” tall and wide. The boldly golden blooms will attract butterflies and are likely to remind gardeners of a traditional Black-Eyed Susan. For those that prefer perennials, a similar look (though a shorter bloom period) can also be achieved by planting this long time favourite.

This resilient annual with its masses of long lasting deep gold blooms will be featured in many public display gardens and community entrances. To enhance this unifying effect, CK CiB would love everyone to add a splash of them in their front yards as well.