Rudbeckia Fulgida 'Little Goldstar': A Dazzling Black-Eyed Susan for Every Garden

Black-eyed Susan

If you want to add long-lasting colour and charm to your garden, Rudbeckia fulgida ‘Little Goldstar’ is an excellent choice. Known for its cheerful yellow daisy-like flowers and compact growth, this perennial black-eyed Susan variety is ideal for borders, containers and pollinator-friendly gardens. This article will show why ‘Little Goldstar’ stands out, how to grow it successfully, and where to find it.

Rudbeckia fulgida ‘Little Goldstar’ is a compact, clump-forming herbaceous perennial with golden-yellow daisy-like flowers. These cheerful blooms feature dark central cones and rise above the bushy mound of short, lush green foliage. The plant typically grows to around 50cm tall, making it ideal for the front of a border or as a centrepiece in pots.

A member of the coneflower family, Rudbeckia fulgida is native to North America and is loved for its floriferous nature and long flowering period. The ‘Little Goldstar’ cultivar is a PBR (Plant Breeder’s Rights) protected variety, selected for its dense growth and abundance of blooms.

While many black-eyed Susan varieties exist, ‘Little Goldstar’ stands out for its tidy form and consistent flowering. It doesn’t flop like some taller types and maintains a neat, rounded shape. Its golden-yellow flowers are borne on branching stems and are smaller but more numerous than those of other cultivars.

The plant forms a short clump of rich green foliage, and its flowers from midsummer to early autumn add brilliant colour and texture to any garden setting. Whether you’re creating a wildlife border, filling containers, or designing a prairie-style scheme, ‘Little Goldstar’ fits in perfectly.

Choose a site with full sun or partial shade to grow Rudbeckia successfully. It thrives in moist but well-drained soil and can tolerate some light shade without compromising its flowering.

For best results, plant in gritty or well-drained soil in full sun. These perennials are perfect for herbaceous borders, rock gardens, and mixed planting schemes. They’re also ideal for pots and containers, providing colour from midsummer into early Autumn.

This hardy perennial is easy to grow and withstands many conditions. Once established, it can tolerate drought and remains floriferous for several months. Its lush green foliage stays attractive even when the blooms fade.

As a perennial, it dies in winter and returns stronger and bushier each spring. It’s low-maintenance, deer-resistant and attractive to bees and butterflies—perfect for gardeners wanting a fuss-free yet impactful plant.

Rudbeckia fulgida ‘Little Goldstar’ blooms from midsummer through early autumn, offering a long season of cheerful colour. The yellow daisy-like flowers with dark centres are borne on branching stems and make excellent cut flowers.

You can extend its flowering even more by deadheading spent blooms. This encourages fresh buds to form, giving you even more flowers to enjoy throughout the growing season.

Absolutely. ‘Little Goldstar’s compact habit makes it ideal for pots and containers. Use it alone for a stunning statement or combine it with asters, grasses, or other coneflowers for a lively display.

Ensure the container has good drainage and use a peat-free, well-drained compost. Water regularly, but don’t let it become waterlogged. Feeding with a balanced liquid feed every few weeks during flowering will help keep blooms coming.

In spring, cut back any dead stems as fresh growth appears. During summer, water in dry spells and deadhead often to keep it blooming. In autumn, you can leave the seed heads for wildlife or cut them back for a tidy look.

It’s herbaceous, so the plant will die back in winter. In autumn, mulch around the base with compost to protect roots and improve the soil. Divide every few years to rejuvenate clumps and keep the plant vigorous.

This plant combines asters, grasses, echinacea, salvia and sedum beautifully. These partners match their bloom time and growing needs, creating a seamless, naturalistic planting scheme.

Its rich colour stands out next to blue or purple flowers, while ornamental grasses add movement. Use it at the front of the border or mixed among taller prairie plants to create layered depth.

Yes! The daisy-like flowers with dark centres attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. Later in the year, the seed heads also provide food for birds.

Adding it to a wildlife garden boosts biodiversity and ensures you’ll have both colour and life in your borders for months. It’s an excellent option for gardeners focused on supporting nature without sacrificing visual impact.

Rudbeckia fulgida ‘Little Goldstar’ has earned its place in my garden. I grow it near the front of a sunny border where its golden blooms catch the afternoon light—it’s like having a burst of sunshine that lasts from summer into autumn. What I love most is its reliability. It never flops, needs very little fuss, and just keeps on flowering. I often pair it with blue salvias and ornamental grasses for a naturalistic look that bees and butterflies adore. Whether you’re a new gardener or a seasoned one like me, this compact black-eyed Susan delivers impact with minimal effort—and that’s precisely the kind of plant I like to recommend.

• Rudbeckia fulgida ‘Little Goldstar’ is a compact, floriferous perennial ideal for borders and containers
• It blooms from midsummer to early autumn with golden-yellow daisy-like flowers with dark centres
• Prefers full sun or partial shade and moist but well-drained soil
• Deadhead to extend flowering and cut back in late winter or early spring
• Excellent for wildlife gardens and supports pollinators
• Perfect for pots, mixed borders and prairie-style planting
• Easy to grow, drought-tolerant once established, and great for beginner gardeners
• Available at UK garden centres and online plant retailers.

Rudbeckia fulgida Little Goldstar offers gardeners a perfectly sized version of the classic Black-eyed Susan. Its compact growth, abundant blooms, and easy maintenance make it ideal for modern gardens. For those seeking a well-behaved, floriferous perennial that attracts wildlife and provides long-lasting colour, Little Goldstar proves an excellent choice

Check out the RHS page on Rudbeckia fulgida Little Goldstar here.

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Q: What is Rudbeckia fulgida ‘Little Goldstar’, Black-Eyed Susan?

Q: How do I care for my ‘Little Goldstar’ Black-Eyed Susan?

Q: Tell me more about Rudbeckia Fulgida ‘Little Goldstar’s growth habits?

Q: Is ‘Little Goldstar’ the same as other Black-Eyed Susans?

Q: When does ‘Little Goldstar’ bloom?

Q: Do I need to deadhead my Black-Eyed Susan flowers?

Q: Can I grow Rudbeckia fulgida ‘Little Goldstar’ in containers?

Q: Is ‘Little Goldstar’ deer-resistant?

Q: How can I propagate my ‘Little Goldstar’ plants?

Q: Are there any pests or diseases I should watch for with Rudbeckia fulgida?

Q: Where can I buy Rudbeckia fulgida ‘Little Goldstar’?