Rudbeckia hirta ‘Maya’ is a fabulous award winning variety of this clump forming short-lived perennial. Throughout the summer, it bears many beautifully doubled golden daisies with petals so dense they almost look like pincushions. Golden yellow, with a kiss in the centre — almost like a Zinnia in appearance. These appear on stout stems lined with dark green leaves and attract many pollinators, such as bees and butterflies. An outstanding cut flower and wonderful in mixed containers. Rudbeckia hirta, commonly known as the Black-eyed Susan, is a short-lived perennial that is native to much of North America. Sometimes treated as annuals, often these will survive a few winters, or at least self seed. It is wonderfully easy to grow and blooms for an extended period of time. A warm season bloomer, the plants form a clump of foliage from which rises thick, leafy stems topped with colourful daisy shaped flowers throughout the summer. Removing faded blossoms regularly will greatly increase the flowering time. Growing to around 75cm (30in) tall, flower arrangers will find that the attractive blooms of this variety are produced on strong stems and last for a long time in water. With prominent central cones, they attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies. The seed heads have good winter interest, and can be used in dried arrangements. If the seed heads are left to dry on the plant, they will attract seed eating birds. Like many black-eyed Susans, they will self-sow gently. Rudbeckia hirta grows best in full sun and well-drained, average soil, allow the soil to dry between watering. This popular ornamental is at home in wildlife gardens, cutting gardens and mixed borders.