Black-eyed Susan

Add a pool of sunshine to the garden with a massed planting of black-eyed Susan. From midsummer, these tough native plants bloom their golden heads off in sun or light shade and mix well with other perennials, annuals, and shrubs. Tall varieties look especially appropriate among shrubs, which in turn provide support. Add black-eyed Susans to wildflower meadows or native plant gardens for a naturalized look. Average soil is sufficient for black-eyed Susans, but it should be able to hold moisture fairly well.

Light:

Sun,Part Sun

Zones:

3-11

Plant Type:

Annual,Perennial

Plant Height:

2-10 feet tall, depending on variety

Plant Width:

1-1/2 to 3 feet wide, depending on variety

Flower Color:

Yellow or orange flowers, depending on variety

Bloom Time:

Blooms midsummer into fall, depending on variety

Landscape Uses:

Containers,Beds & Borders

Special Features:

Flowers,Attractive Foliage,Winter Interest,Cut Flowers,Attracts Birds,Attracts Butterflies,Drought Tolerant,Deer Resistant,Easy to Grow

Top Varieties

---

'Autumn Colors' black-eyed Susan

Rudbeckia 'Autumn Colors' is an award-winning annual series that bears 5-inch-wide gold flowers flushed with bronze, red, and rust. It grows 2 feet tall.
view >

Brown-eyed Susan

Rudbeckia triloba is a North American native biennial or short-lived perennial that has clusters of small yellow flowers in summer and autumn. It grows 5 feet tall and 3 feet wide. Zones 4-7
view >

'Goldsturm' black-eyed Susan

Rudbeckia fulgida var. sullivantii 'Goldsturm' is one of the most popular perennials of all time. It offers 3- to 4-inch bright yellow daisies, accented with a dark brown cone from midsummer to fall. It reaches 2 feet tall and is hardy in Zones 4-9.
view >

'Indian Summer' black-eyed Susan

Rudbeckia hirta 'Indian Summer' features bright golden flowers and hairy foliage. It grows 3 feet tall and blooms from summer to frost. Zones 3-7, but is often grown as an annual.
view >

'Maya' black-eyed Susan

Rudbeckia 'Maya' is an annual, dwarf variety with golden-yellow double flowers. It grows 18 inches tall.
view >

'Prairie Sun' black-eyed Susan

Rudbeckia hirta 'Prairie Sun' features yellow-orange flowers from summer to frost. It's hardy in Zones 3-8, but it's usually grown as an annual.
view >

'Radiance' black-eyed Susan

Rudbeckia 'Radiance' is usually grown as an annual and offers distinct double flowers with quilled petals. It grows 18 inches tall.
view >

'Sonora' black-eyed Susan

Rudbeckia 'Sonora' is an annual type with large mahogany petals tipped in yellow. It grows 20 inches tall.
view >

'Toto Lemon' black-eyed Susan

Rudbeckia 'Toto Lemon' is a dwarf annual selection with cheery bright yellow blooms all summer. It grows 15 inches tall.
view >

'Toto Rustic' black-eyed Susan

Rudbeckia 'Toto Rustic' is an annual type that bears with golden blooms with rich burgundy-red centers. It grows 15 inches tall.
view >

Garden Plans

---

Garden Plan for Attracting Birds and Butterflies
Bird-Friendly Garden
Butterfly Garden
Easy Slope Garden Plan
Easy-Care Romance Garden Plan
Country-Style Fall-Garden Plan
Garden Design for a Deck
Walk to Front Door
A Simple, Late-Summer Perennial Garden Plan
Tropical Flair Container Garden
Dramatic Entrance Garden Plan
Summer-Blooming Front Yard Cottage Garden Plan
Tropical-Theme Summer Perennial Garden Plan
Annual Raised-Bed Garden Plan
Four Gorgeous Bulb and Perennial Gardens
Fall Deckside Garden Plan
Hot-Summer Garden Plan
Side-Yard Cottage Garden Plan
Year-Round Excitement Garden Plan
Tiny Corner Garden Plan

Plant It With

---

Fountaingrass

With slender arching grassy leaves and bottlebrush panicles of flower spikelets, fountaingrass brings a rustic grace to massed plantings of 'Goldsturm' black-eyed Susan. They enjoy similar conditions.

Russian sage

In sunny gardens, the wandlike flower stems of lavender Russian sage play well against black-eyed Susans.

Aster

In sunny places, Frikart's aster has 2- to 3-inch lavender-blue daisy flowers that combine well with black-eyed Susans.

Coneflower

Blooming at the same time, purple coneflowers echo the size and shape of black-eyed Susans, but in a contrasting purplish pink, which looks attractive against yellow or gold.

Propagation

---

Seed
Division
Stem Cuttings