Black-Eyed Susan: Plant Care and Growing Guide

What is Special about Black-Eyed Susans?

Black-Eyed Susans are a special plant for several reasons:

Attractive Appearance: They boast a profusion of bright, golden-yellow flowers that provide color and interest in the garden throughout the summer and late season. The flowers can be cut and used in fresh arrangements or dried for use in dried flower arrangements and crafts.

Easy to Grow: They are low maintenance and easy to grow, making it a great choice for gardeners of all skill levels.

Long Blooming Period: They bloom from early summer to fall.

Wildlife Habitat: They are a native species and provides important habitat for local wildlife, including bees, butterflies, and other pollinators.

Black-Eyed Susan Types

Rudbeckia hirta: This is the most well-known species of Black-Eyed Susan and is commonly grown in gardens and landscapes. It typically grows up to 1-3 feet tall (30-90 cm) and has bright, golden-yellow petals with a dark brown or black center disk. The petals are ray-like, meaning they extend outward from the center disk. The center disk is raised and cone-shaped, giving the flowers a distinctive appearance. Rudbeckia hirta blooms from early summer to fall, producing flowers that attract important pollinators.

Rudbeckia fulgida: This species is also known as the Orange Coneflower. It can grow up to 2-3 feet tall (60-90 cm) and produces large, daisy-like flowers with bright orange-yellow petals and a dark brown center disk. The petals are ray-like and extend outward from the center disk. The center disk is cone-shaped and covered in small, dark brown or black tubular flowers that are surrounded by yellowish-green bracts. Rudbeckia fulgida blooms in mid-late summer to early fall, providing a pop of color in the garden during the late season.

When to Plant Black-Eyed Susans

• The best time to plant Black-Eyed Susan is in the spring, after the last frost date in your area. This will give the plants plenty of time to establish themselves before the hot summer weather arrives.
• Wait until the soil has warmed up to at least 60°F (15.5°C) before planting seeds or transplants.
• Black-Eyed Susan can be easily started from seed indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost date in your area. The ideal temperature for seed germination is 70°F (21°C)

Where to Plant Black-Eyed Susan Flowers

Black-Eyed Susan is a versatile plant that can be grown in a variety of locations in the garden. Here are some tips on where to plant it:

• Hardiness: Black-Eyed Susan is a hardy plant that can grow in a wide range of climates. It is considered a perennial in USDA Hardiness Zones 3-9, which means it can survive and grow back year after year in those zones.
• Sun Exposure: It prefers full sun to partial shade, so choose a location that gets at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day.
• Soil Conditions: Black-Eyed Susan grows best in well-draining soil that is rich in organic matter. If your soil is heavy or compacted, amend it with compost or other organic material before planting.
• Watering: The plant is relatively drought-tolerant once established, but it still needs regular watering during the first few weeks after planting to help it get established.
• Landscape Uses: Black-Eyed Susans are a versatile and popular plant that can be used in a variety of landscape settings.
• Borders and Edging: Black-Eyed Susans can be used to create colorful borders and edging around garden beds, pathways, and other landscape features.
• Mass Plantings: Black-Eyed Susans can be planted in large groups to create a bold and colorful display of flowers that will catch the eye.
• Naturalized Areas: Black-Eyed Susan is a native plant and is well-suited for naturalized areas such as meadows, prairies, and wildflower gardens.
• Containers: Black-Eyed Susans can be planted in containers and placed on patios, decks, and other outdoor spaces to provide a pop of color and interest.

How to Plant Black-Eyed Susan

Black-Eyed Susan can be planted in the garden either as transplants or by sowing seeds directly in the soil. Here are some steps:

• Choose a location that gets plenty of sunlight and has well-draining soil. Black-Eyed Susan prefers full sun to partial shade and soil that is rich in organic matter.
• Prepare the soil by removing any weeds, rocks, or debris and amend the soil with compost or other organic matter if necessary.
• Dig a hole that is slightly larger than the root ball of the transplant, or create a shallow trench for sowing seeds.
• If planting transplants, gently remove the plant from its container and place it in the hole, making sure that the top of the root ball is level with the surrounding soil.
• If sowing seeds directly, sprinkle the seeds along the trench and cover them lightly with soil.
• Space transplants about 12-18 inches (30-45 cm) apart to allow enough room for the plants to grow and spread.
• Water the plant well after planting, and continue to water regularly until it becomes established.
• Mulch around the base of the plant to help conserve moisture and prevent weeds.

Black-Eyed Susan Care

Black-Eyed Susan is a relatively low-maintenance plant that can tolerate a range of growing conditions. Here are some tips on how to care for it:

• Watering: Black-Eyed Susan prefers moist but well-draining soil. Water the plant deeply once a week or more frequently during hot, dry weather.
• Fertilizing: Black-Eyed Susan doesn’t require a lot of fertilizer.
• Deadheading: To encourage the plant to produce more blooms, deadhead spent flowers regularly throughout the growing season. Leave some dried seed heads on the plants in the fall to attract birds.
• Pruning: Cut back after flowering to promote a second, smaller bloom in late fall.

How to Manage Black-Eyed Susan Spread

Black-Eyed Susan can spread in the garden through both self-seeding and rhizome growth.

• Self-seeding: Black-Eyed Susan produces numerous small black seeds that are dispersed by the wind, birds, and other animals. These seeds can germinate and grow into new plants, which can lead to the plant spreading over time.
• Rhizomes: Black-Eyed Susan also spreads through underground rhizomes, which are horizontal stems that grow underground and produce new shoots and roots. As the rhizomes grow, they can form new plants and expand the size of the clump.
• To manage Black-Eyed Susan spread, you can take the following steps:
• Deadhead spent flowers: By removing spent flowers before they can produce seeds, you can prevent the plant from self-seeding and spreading too much.
• Divide the plant: If the plant becomes too large or starts to take over the garden, you can divide it every 3-4 years to keep it under control. Simply dig up the plant, separate it into smaller sections, and replant them in their own holes.
• Monitor rhizomes: If the plant is spreading through rhizomes, you can monitor the growth and remove any new shoots that emerge outside of the desired planting area.

By taking these steps, you can manage the spread and enjoy the beauty of this plant without it becoming invasive.

How to Propagate

Black-Eyed Susan can be propagated through several methods, including seed, division, and stem cuttings. Here are some steps on how to propagate Black-Eyed Susan:

• Propagating from seed: Black-Eyed Susan seeds can be sown directly in the ground in the spring or started indoors in late winter. Sow the seeds on top of moist soil and cover lightly with soil. Keep the soil moist and warm until the seeds germinate, which typically takes about 2-3 weeks. Once the seedlings have grown a few inches tall, they can be transplanted into the garden.
• Propagating from division: Divide Black-Eyed Susan every 3-4 years to prevent overcrowding and promote healthy growth. Simply dig up the clump and use a sharp knife or garden fork to separate it into smaller sections. Replant the sections in their own holes and water well.
• Propagating from stem cuttings: Take stem cuttings from Black-Eyed Susan in the spring or early summer. Cut a stem that is about 4-6 inches long (10-15 cm) and remove the lower leaves. Dip the cut end of the stem in rooting hormone and plant it in a container filled with a mixture of moist sand and peat moss. Keep the cutting moist and warm until roots form, which typically takes about 3-4 weeks. Once the cutting has rooted, it can be transplanted into the garden.

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 Black-Eyed Susan:

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.

Companion Plants for Black-Eyed Susan Flowers

Black-Eyed Susan can be complemented by a variety of companion plants that can help enhance its beauty and improve its health. Here are some great companion plants for Black-Eyed Susan: Coneflowers, Globe Thistle, Hyssop, Russian sage, Pennisetum, Salvia, Sedum, and Zinnia.

Click here to compare all Rudbeckia varieties

Frequently Asked Questions

Do black-eyed susans come back each year?

Yes, Black-Eyed Susans are typically perennial plants that can come back each year as long as they are planted in the appropriate growing conditions and provided with proper care. They are hardy in USDA zones 3-9 and can survive winter temperatures in those zones.

Does black-eyed susan like sun or shade?

Black-Eyed Susan prefers full sun to partial shade, but it blooms best in full sun. The plant needs at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day to produce abundant blooms.

Do black-eyed susans spread easily?

Black-Eyed Susan is known to spread easily from self-seeding and rhizome growth. To manage its spread, deadhead spent flowers, divide the plant, and remove any new shoots that emerge outside of the desired planting area.

Can black-eyed susans survive the winter?

Black-Eyed Susan is a hardy plant that can survive the winter in USDA hardiness zones 3-9, which cover most of the United States. However, the plant may require some protection or care to survive particularly harsh winter conditions, especially in the northern parts of its range.