I'm not sure Emily, but not all hardy perennials need cold strat. I look them up on Clothier first. Here's what he says for rud hirta
Rudbeckia fulgida, hirta, and maxima , Sow at 20ºC (68ºF), if no germination in 3-4 wks, move to -4 to +4ºC (24-39ºF) for 2-4 wks
If I summer sowed something and it didn't germinate, I'd just keep the jug moist and let it sit around thru winter , hope for the best. It might sprout in spring.
But even things that are supposed to require cold strat will often sprout without it IF the seeds are very fresh, as in just harvested from your plants. My rud seeds were from the previous fall. I also did some penstemon at the same time. They sprouted but didn't make it thru winter after I planted them out into beds. It was a rare, really wet brutal winter and spring here.
Karen
