Marmalade

Family: Asteraceae Flower

Planting Schedule

Provide your location or planting zone to unlock dates and add Marmalade to a garden.

Sun-warmed petals blaze in rich marmalade-gold, radiating outward from a velvety, near-black center that holds the eye like a lantern in late summer.

Marmalade forms sturdy clumps with a crisp, daisy-like texture—bold, slightly tousled rays over deep, green foliage—making it as striking in the garden as it is in fresh bouquets. Grow Marmalade for long-lasting color through the season, where its classic black “eye” and generous blooms bring instant cheer to borders and pollinator paths.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 90 DaysHabit: Upright

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Marmalade Planting Dates by USDA Zone

Estimated US hardiness-zone windows for sow, transplant, and harvest. Enter a US ZIP above for exact local dates, or open a zone below.

Zone	Start Indoors	Sow / Transplant	Harvest
Zone 1a	Apr 6th	Jun 15th	Sep 13th – Jul 15th
Zone 1b	Mar 23rd	Jun 1st	Aug 30th – Aug 1st
Zone 2a	Mar 16th	May 25th	Aug 23rd – Aug 29th
Zone 2b	Mar 6th	May 15th	Aug 13th – Aug 25th
Zone 3a	Mar 6th	May 15th	Aug 13th – Sep 1st
Zone 3b	Mar 10th	May 19th	Aug 17th – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	Mar 6th	May 15th	Aug 13th – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Mar 4th	May 13th	Aug 11th – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Feb 27th	May 8th	Aug 6th – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Feb 23rd	May 4th	Aug 2nd – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Feb 20th	May 1st	Jul 30th – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Feb 14th	Apr 25th	Jul 24th – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Feb 9th	Apr 20th	Jul 19th – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Jan 30th	Apr 10th	Jul 9th – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Jan 21st	Apr 1st	Jun 30th – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Jan 12th	Mar 23rd	Jun 21st – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Dec 26th	Mar 6th	Jun 4th – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Dec 1st	Feb 9th	May 10th – Dec 9th
Zone 10a	—	Oct 1st	Dec 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 10b	—	Oct 1st	Dec 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 11a	—	Oct 1st	Dec 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 11b	—	Oct 1st	Dec 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 12a	—	Oct 1st	Dec 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 12b	—	Oct 1st	Dec 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 13a	—	Oct 1st	Dec 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 13b	—	Oct 1st	Dec 30th – Feb 28th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	90
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Upright
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	70
Min Soil Temp (°F)	45
Min Night Temp (°F)	40
Harden Off (days)	7

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease most commonly affects Rudbeckia hirta (marmalade), and how can I treat it?

Rudbeckia hirta commonly gets powdery mildew in humid weather, showing as a white, dusty coating on leaves. Remove heavily infected leaves early, improve airflow by spacing plants, and water at the base to keep foliage dry. If it’s spreading, spray an approved powdery mildew fungicide and repeat as directed on the label (avoid spraying in peak sun to prevent leaf burn).

How often should I water Rudbeckia hirta during its main growing phase?

During active growth and bud formation, keep soil consistently moist but not soggy—water when the top 1 inch of soil feels dry. Aim for deep watering so moisture reaches the root zone, typically about once or twice per week depending on heat and rainfall. Once established, you can reduce frequency, but don’t let the soil fully dry out for extended periods while it’s flowering.

How do I know when to harvest Rudbeckia hirta (marmalade) flowers?

Harvest when the ray florets (the yellow/orange “petals”) are fully open and the center disk florets are just starting to look set rather than faded. For cut flowers, snip blooms in the morning when petals are crisp and before midday heat wilts them. If you’re harvesting seed, wait until the flower heads turn brown and dry, then collect when they feel papery and the seeds release easily.