If you don't deadhead, then they do reseed a lot. Sometimes too much. You can also save seeds and sow them yourself if you want them to sprout in a particular area. They do cross-pollinate if you have several cultivars growing together. This will result in a mish-mash of blooms the following year, some of which could be quite pretty. Perhaps if you have only 1 cultivar growing in your garden, it will seed true?

Rudbeckia hirta is not perennial in our zone. In my experience, some plants will be annual, others live 2 years, occasionally a plant will come back for a 3rd year, but I've never had one live longer than that.

Ditto to what terrene said - they will reseed, which I think is great (so far, lol) and they are not reliably perennial even in my zone 6, although I have had several plants come back here and there.

However, I do have several cultivars growing together, and reseeding, and so far I don't think I've noticed cross-pollination. I'm not saying it doesn't happen, I'm just saying that I have not been attentive enough to notice!

If you really don't want to risk cross-pollination, you should probably collect seed and sow it. If you don't mind the possibility, just leave a few seed heads up.

I absolutely love my r. hirtas and would not be without them. Enjoy!

:)
Dee

Thank you both for your advice. I love all 4 varieties that I'm growing so I hope that some will reseed true, however, I agree that cross pollination might produce some interesting blooms.

Thank you.

Do you have any photos of your garden that you can post here for all to see?

Haven't taken any photos yet this year. But will post some after I figure out how.