What is it? Rudbeckias are usually gold, but 'Cherry Brandy' offers a stunning, bright red cultivar that's perfect for teaming with grasses to create the popular prairie look in your summer borders. Expect an eventual height and spread of around 60cm x 40cm.
Plant it with? Grow rudbeckias with grasses (miscanthus, Japanese blood grass and panicums), daylilies, dahlias and heleniums, and you really can't go wrong. Or try them in a large container, perhaps with purple fountain grass (pennisetum).
And where? Moist but well-drained soil in sun or partial shade is ideal, but this rudbeckia will tolerate poor soil, too.
Any drawbacks? This is a half-hardy annual, so it's a one-year wonder that won't grow back for a repeat performance next year. Make sure you deadhead the flowers regularly to ensure an extended show.
What else does it do? Try growing it for a flower cutting patch: Sarah Raven rates 'Cherry Brandy' highly as a long-lasting cut flower, surviving for as long as two weeks in a vase.
Buy it Order 36 plugs for £11.99, or 72 plugs for £16.99 (including free UK mainland p&p). To order, call 0330 333 6856, quoting ref GU15, or go to our Reader Offers page. Supplied as plug plants; delivery from March.