RUDBECKIA OCCIDENTALIS: This eye-catching and bold plant produces flowers with only a large deep brown cone – sometimes it appears black.  There are no petals to the flower.  Growing to 1.5m or more, the species prefers full sun and well-drained soils.  Deep green leaves give rise to the flower stems that appear in late June and into August.   Seeds can be direct sown in late fall/early spring or started in containers in April/May and transplanted out.  Cover the seeds with .5 cm of soil.  60 seeds.    P632