Rudbeckia hirta (Black-Eyed Susan)
Black-eyed Susan, Yellow Ox-eye Daisy, Brown-Eyed Susan, Brown Betty, Golden Jerusalem, English Bull's Eye, Yellow Daisy
Rudbeckia hirta (Black-Eyed Susan) is a biennial or short-lived perennial boasting brilliant yellow daisylike flowers, 3 in. wide (7 cm) with a dark chocolate center disk. Enjoying a fairly extended blooming season, from early summer to fall, the flowers are attractive to butterflies, birds, and pollinating insects. They are borne atop stiff, upright stems clad with rough, hairy, lance-shaped leaves, 3-7 in. long (7-17 cm). This native prairie plant forms a rosette of leaves the first year, followed by flowers the second year. It will bloom the first year from seed planted in early spring. Black-Eyed Susan self-seeds freely and keeps a presence in the landscape. Putting on a spectacular show in the garden when other plants are starting to fade, Rudbeckia hirta tolerates heat, drought, and a wide range of soils except wet ones. The cheerful blossoms of the Black-eyed Susans are best in natural landscapes where they are allowed to self-sow and roam freely.
- Grows up to 2-3 ft. tall (60-90 cm) and 1-2 ft. wide (30-60cm).
- Thrives in full sun in average, dry to moist, well-drained soils. Drought tolerant but responds well to occasional watering. Additional irrigation in a dry year will lengthen the flowering season.
- Ridiculously easy to grow, Black-Eyed Susan is a great candidate for mixed borders, cottage gardens, cottage gardens or prairies, and meadows. Excellent cut flowers.
- No serious pest or disease issues. Keep an eye out for powdery mildew, slugs, and snails. Deer resistant.
- Remove and discard spent flowers to encourage extended blooming and prevent unwanted seedlings next season.
- Easily propagated by seed in fall or spring. Spring-sown seed should be stratified.
- Rudbeckia hirta is native to Eastern and Central North America.
Black-Eyed Susan: Plant Care and Growing Guide
Here are some tips on how to plant and grow black-eyed susans successfullyRead More
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Requirements
Hardiness | 3
– 10 |
---|---|
Heat Zones | 1
– 7 |
Climate Zones | 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 |
Plant Type | Annuals, Perennials |
Plant Family | Rudbeckia |
Exposure | Full Sun |
Season of Interest |
Summer (Early,Mid,Late) Fall |
Height | 2' – 3' (60cm – 90cm) |
Spread | 1' – 2' (30cm – 60cm) |
Spacing | 24" (60cm) |
Water Needs | Low, Average |
Maintenance | Low |
Soil Type | Clay, Loam |
Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Cut Flowers, Showy |
Native Plants | United States, California, Midwest, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Northeast, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Pacific Northwest, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, Rocky Mountains, Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, Southeast, Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Southwest, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas |
Tolerance | Clay Soil, Deer, Drought, Dry Soil |
Attracts | Bees, Birds, Butterflies |
Garden Uses | Beds and Borders |
Garden Styles | Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow |
By Maya Afzaal, Shutterstock
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
Requirements
Hardiness | 3
– 10 |
---|---|
Heat Zones | 1
– 7 |
Climate Zones | 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 |
Plant Type | Annuals, Perennials |
Plant Family | Rudbeckia |
Exposure | Full Sun |
Season of Interest |
Summer (Early,Mid,Late) Fall |
Height | 2' – 3' (60cm – 90cm) |
Spread | 1' – 2' (30cm – 60cm) |
Spacing | 24" (60cm) |
Water Needs | Low, Average |
Maintenance | Low |
Soil Type | Clay, Loam |
Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Cut Flowers, Showy |
Native Plants | United States, California, Midwest, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Northeast, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Pacific Northwest, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, Rocky Mountains, Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, Southeast, Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Southwest, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas |
Tolerance | Clay Soil, Deer, Drought, Dry Soil |
Attracts | Bees, Birds, Butterflies |
Garden Uses | Beds and Borders |
Garden Styles | Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow |