Black-Eyed Susan – Rudbeckia hirta

Description

Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)

Black-Eyed Susan is a cheerful, easy-to-grow native biennial or short-lived perennial that brightens gardens with brilliant golden-yellow flowers surrounding rich chocolate-brown centers. Blooming from midsummer into fall, it often flowers the first year from seed and readily reseeds, providing dependable color for years to come. This hardy wildflower thrives in a wide range of soils and growing conditions, tolerating drought once established while performing best in full sun and well-drained soil.

A favorite of bees, butterflies, and other pollinators, Black-Eyed Susan also serves as a larval host plant for several butterfly species, including the Silvery Checkerspot. After flowering, the seed heads become an important food source for songbirds such as goldfinches, chickadees, cardinals, and other seed-eating birds. Growing 2–4 feet tall, it is an excellent choice for wildflower meadows, pollinator gardens, naturalized landscapes, erosion control, and roadside plantings. Its long-lasting blooms also make excellent cut flowers, adding bright color to fresh bouquets throughout the summer. Black-Eyed Susan thrives best alongside sun-loving, drought-tolerant companions like purple coneflower, little bluestem, beebalm, and blazing star.

Quick Specs

• Origin: Native
• Type: Biennial, short-lived perennial
• Color: Yellow
• Height: 12-36 inches
• Width/spread: 12-18 inches
• Sunlight: Full sun, partial shade
• Water: Dry to medium moisture
• Bloom Season: Summer to fall
• Planting Time: Spring or fall
• Zones: 3-9
• Regions: Prairie, Plains, Meadows, Pastures, Savannas, Woodlands’ edge 
• Use: Edges, pollinator gardens, borders, meadows & cottage gardens, naturalized landscapes, deer- and drought-resistant.
• Attracts: Butterflies, bees, birds
• Packet weight: 600 mg
• Seeds per packet: 2200 seeds approx.