Rudbeckia hirta (Black-Eyed Susan)

Why Should I Grow Black-Eyed Susan?

Growing Black-Eyed Susans in your garden is a great choice for several reasons:

Pollinator Friendly: This plant is a favorite of butterflies, bees, and other beneficial insects. This not only adds activity and wildlife to your garden, but also helps with the pollination of other plants.

Long Blooming Season: Rudbeckia hirta boasts a long blooming season, typically from early summer until the first frost, providing your garden with vibrant color for many months.

Easy to Grow: Black-Eyed Susans are hardy, drought-resistant plants that can thrive in a variety of soil conditions. They are also resistant to most pests and diseases.

Versatility: They are suitable for different garden styles and can be grown in borders, wildflower meadows, or containers. They also come in dwarf varieties that are perfect for small spaces.

Cut Flowers: The flowers last well when cut, making them a great choice for vases and floral arrangements.

Winter Interest: Even after the blooms have gone, the seed heads of Rudbeckia hirta remain, adding interest to the winter garden and providing food for birds.

Cultivars: There is a wide range of cultivars offering different colors and sizes, making it easy to find one that suits your specific gardening needs and aesthetic.

Native Plant: If you live in North America, growing Black-Eyed Susan is a great way to include native plants in your garden.

In conclusion, Black-Eyed Susan is an all-around excellent plant that combines beauty, resilience, and ecological benefits.

Garden Design With Black-Eyed Susan

Designing a garden with Black-Eyed Susan can add a touch of bold, bright color and visual interest. Here are some ideas on how you can incorporate this charming plant into your garden:

Wildlife Garden: Plant Black-Eyed Susans in groups or drifts in a wildlife or pollinator-friendly garden to attract butterflies, bees, and birds. They go well with other native and wildlife-friendly plants like Coneflowers (Echinacea), Milkweed (Asclepias), and Asters.

Cottage Garden: Black-Eyed Susan fits in well with a traditional cottage garden style with its cheerful, informal appearance. Pair them with plants like Delphinium, Phlox, and Hollyhocks for a classic look.

Perennial Border: Use them in perennial borders where their vibrant color can serve as a focal point. They pair well with other late-summer perennials like Salvia, Sedum, and Russian Sage.

Container Garden: Dwarf varieties of Black-Eyed Susan can be grown in containers for a bright pop of color. They can be grown alone or combined with other plants with similar care needs.

Cutting Garden: Plant rows of Black-Eyed Susans in a designated cutting garden so you can enjoy their beauty indoors without disturbing the look of your main garden areas.

Prairie or Meadow Garden: Black-Eyed Susans are native to prairies and meadows in North America. They work well in a naturalistic, informal garden with grasses and other wildflowers.

Fall Interest: Combine Black-Eyed Susans with fall-blooming perennials and shrubs for a garden that looks great in autumn. Good companions include ornamental grasses, Joe-Pye weed, and Goldenrod.

Remember that Black-Eyed Susans prefer full sun and well-drained soil. They are drought-tolerant once established, making them a good choice for low-maintenance and xeriscape gardens.

Companion Plants

Companion plants for Rudbeckia hirta should have similar sun and soil preferences, typically full sun and well-drained soil. Here are some suggestions:

Coneflowers (Echinacea spp.): These perennials bloom around the same time and like similar conditions, providing a lovely contrast with their purple hues.

Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia): The delicate, silvery leaves and purple flowers of Russian sage contrast beautifully with the sturdy, bright flowers of Rudbeckia.

Asters (Aster spp.): Aster’s blue or purple flowers make a wonderful color combination with the yellow or gold of Black-Eyed Susan in the fall.

Goldenrod (Solidago spp.): The yellow flowers of goldenrod bloom in late summer to fall, complementing the blooms of Black-Eyed Susan.

Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum): This native grass is an excellent backdrop for the vibrant yellow blooms of Black-Eyed Susan.

Phlox (Phlox paniculata): The flowers of phlox provide a beautiful backdrop for the yellow blooms of Rudbeckia hirta.

Globe Thistle(Echinops spp.): The striking spherical, blue flower heads of globe thistle make a wonderful contrast to the daisy-like blooms of Black-Eyed Susan.

Hyssop (Agastache ssp.): With its upright growth habit and spikes of blue, purple, pink, or white flowers, Hyssop would make a beautiful backdrop for the vibrant Rudbeckia hirta.

Pennisetum (Fountain Grass): The arching, feathery plumes of this ornamental grass can help soften the look of Black-Eyed Susan and add texture to the garden.

Salvia: Many Salvia species have bright, tall spires that can stand up to Black-Eyed Susan in terms of color and structure, creating an engaging display.

Sedum: Species like Sedum ‘Autumn Joy’ bloom in the fall, offering a great color and texture contrast with their succulent leaves and rose-pink to coppery-red flowers.

Zinnia: These annuals bloom heavily and their wide range of colors would complement the golden hue of Black-Eyed Susan. They also share a love for sunny conditions.

Remember, the key to successful companion planting is considering the needs and habits of each plant. Also, varying plant heights, shapes, and bloom times can provide visual interest throughout the season.

Growing Tips

Growing Black-Eyed Susan can be a rewarding experience as these plants are both beautiful and relatively easy to care for. Here’s how to do it:

Choose the right location: Rudbeckia hirta prefers full sun but can tolerate light shade. However, they’ll produce the best bloom in a location that receives at least 6 hours of direct sunlight each day.

Prepare the soil: These plants prefer well-draining soil. While they can tolerate a range of soil types, they do best in soil that is rich in organic matter. You can improve your soil’s organic content by adding compost or well-rotted manure.

Planting: The best time to plant Black-Eyed Susans in the garden is in the spring after all danger has passed or in the fall. If planting by seed, sow seeds indoors about 6-10 weeks before the last expected frost. Alternatively, sow them directly in the garden when the soil temperature has warmed to about 70°F (21°C). Sprinkle seeds and cover them with a thin layer of soil. Water regularly to keep the soil moist. As seedlings grow, thin to 6-12 inches (15-30 cm) apart for dwarf varieties and 18-30 inches (45-75 cm) apart for larger cultivars.

Watering: While established plants are quite drought-tolerant, it’s best to provide regular water to newly planted Black-Eyed Susans until they’re well established.

Fertilizing: Generally, Rudbeckia hirta does not require much fertilization. However, you can add a balanced slow-release fertilizer in the spring if your soil is poor.

Deadheading: To encourage more blooms, remove spent flowers. This process, known as deadheading, prevents the plant from putting energy into seed production and prevents unwanted seedlings next season. Leave some dried seed heads on the plants in the fall to attract hungry birds.

Division: Divide plants every three years to help plants and roots get good air circulation and enough nutrients.

Winter Care: In the fall, you can cut back the foliage to the ground level. In colder climates, consider adding a layer of mulch around the plants for extra winter protection.

Pests and Diseases: Black-Eyed Susan is generally a hardy and disease-resistant plant, but it can be affected by some pests and diseases. Here are some common pests and diseases that can affect

• Aphids: Aphids are small insects that suck the sap from the plant, causing the leaves to wilt and distort. They can be treated with insecticidal soap or by spraying the plant with a strong jet of water to dislodge them.
• Botrytis blight: This fungal disease can cause gray or brown fuzzy mold on the leaves, flowers, and stems and can lead to stem rot and plant death. You can prevent botrytis blight by ensuring good air circulation, avoiding overhead watering, and applying a fungicide.
• Downy mildew: This is a fungal disease that causes yellowing or browning of the leaves, white, downy growth on the undersides of the leaves, stunted growth and reduced flowering, and premature leaf drop. Remove infected plant parts, improve air circulation, and avoid overhead watering.
• Leaf spot: Leaf spot is a fungal disease that causes brown or black spots on the leaves of the plant. It can be treated with fungicides or by removing infected plant parts.
• Rust: This is a fungal disease that causes orange or brown spots on the leaves of the plant. Remove infected plant parts, improve air circulation, and avoid overhead watering.
• Slugs and Snails: Slugs and snails can be a common pest problem, especially in damp and shady areas. These pests can damage the leaves, stems, and flowers of the plants and may cause significant damage if left unchecked. Handpicking, trapping, cultural controls, and natural predators can be useful.
• Verticillium wilt: This is a fungal disease that causes yellowing and wilting of leaves on one side of the plant, white, browning of the stem near the soil line, stunted growth and reduced flowering, and premature leaf drop. Remove infected plant parts and improve soil drainage.