The perennial black-eyed Susan has bright flowers that light up the garden and keep on going until frost.
Black-eyed Susan,native to the Midwest, comes in bothannual and perennialvarieties.
Hardy in Zones 3-11, they need little care to grow abundantly.
Perry L. Struse.
The most common black-eyed Susan flowers have a single row of gold petals surrounding a black or brown center.
The foliage is unobtrusive.
The leaves are usually deep green, which blends well in a mixed garden bed.
Credit: Justin Hancock
These plants are good choices for butterfly gardens, beds, borders, mass plantings, and containers.
If planting from seed, sow the seeds six to eight weeks before the last frost.
Set the plants 18 inches apart in soil cleared of weeds and loosened for easy digging.
Credit: John Reed Forsman
To plant, dig a hole about the same width and depth as the planting container.
Remove the plant and loosen the roots a little from the root ball before placing it in the hole.
Backfill with soil, tamp lightly, and water well.
Credit: Jerry Pavia
Black-Eyed Susan Care Tips
Black-eyed Susans are easy-to-grow and easy-care plants.
Many newer varieties are annuals in northern climates but hardy in the South.
Be sure tocheck hardiness zoneswhen shopping for black-eyed Susan plants.
Credit: Peter Krumhardt
Light
These sun-loving plants do bestwhen grown in sunlightsix to eight hours a day.
They can grow in shade, but the colors of the flowers arent as vibrant.
While they grow well in almost any soil, black-eyed Susan wont thrive in soggy locations.
Credit: Justin Hancock
If your soil is mostly sand, addorganic matterto help it retain water.
Temperature and Humidity
These plants grow best in warm temperatures.
They prefer 60oF or above.
Credit: Peter Krumhardt
However, black-eyed Susan doesnt mind humidity.
Fertilizer
Because black-eyed Susan grows in most soils, it usually doesnt need fertilizer.
Pruning
Deadheading black-eyed Susan is essential for healthy regrowth.
Credit: Justin Hancock
When deadheading, cut back to just past the first leaf on the stem.
At the end of the season,cut them backto 2 inches above the ground.
Add mulch during cold months to keep them from freezing before spring.
Credit: Justin Hancock
Potting and Repotting Black-Eyed Susan
Black-eyed Susan isnt the best choice for acontainer plant.
Their roots prefer a garden setting where they can grow deep.
Pests and Problems
Leaf spots are black-eyed Susans most common problem and are usually sparked by fungus.
Credit: Justin Hancock
Doing so removes spores that could infect new foliage.
Planting black-eyed Susan in full sun with good air circulation also helps prevent fungus growth.
Common garden pests can be removed with a burst of water from a garden hose.
Credit: Justin Hancock
An software ofneem oilor insecticidal soapeliminates aphidsand other bugs.
However, you might harvest seeds to start indoors.
When that happens, its time to dig them up anddivide themfor replanting.
Credit: Marty Baldwin
It grows 2 feet tall.
It grows 5 feet tall and 3 feet wide.
Zones 4-7
Goldsturm Black-Eyed Susan
Rudbeckia fulgidavar.sullivantiiGoldsturm is one of the most popular perennials of all time.
Credit: Peter Krumhardt
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.
Indian Summer Black-Eyed Susan
Rudbeckia hirtaIndian Summer features bright golden flowers and hairy foliage.
Credit: Greg Ryan
Maya Black-Eyed Susan
RudbeckiaMaya is an annual dwarf variety with golden-yellow petal-packed double flowers.
It grows 18 inches tall.
Prairie Sun Black-Eyed Susan
Rudbeckia hirtaPrairie Sun features yellow-orange flowers from summer to frost.
Credit: Illustration by Gary Palmer
Its hardy in Zones 3-8 but is usually grown as an annual.
It grows 18 inches tall.
Sonora Black-Eyed Susan
Rudbeckia hirtaSonora is an annual key in with large mahogany petals tipped in yellow.
Credit: Illustration by Mavis Augustine Torke
It grows 20 inches tall.
It grows 15 inches tall.
It grows 15 inches tall.
Credit: Illustration by Mavis Augustine Torke
Fountaingrass also sends out beautiful, fuzzy flower plumes in late summer.
Zones 6-11
Russian Sage
Russian sage is an important playerin summer and fall gardens.
Its aromaticsilvery plumesand lavender flowers show off well against most flowers.
Foot-long panicles of flowers bloom for many weeks.
Zones 4-9
Coneflower
Thepurple conefloweris easy to grow and draws many birds and butterflies.
This prairie native is valued for its large, sturdy, daisylike flowers with drooping petals.
Allow it to spread so you have at least a small stand.
Frequently Asked Questions
The most likely reason your flowers arent blooming is a lack of sunlight.
Nitrogen promotes foliage growth instead of flower growth.
At the height of the growing season, black-eyed Susans may need help standing tall.
Use bamboo or wire stakes to support the larger plants.
Black-eyed Susan blooms are lovely additions to arrangements.
The cut flowers usually last 6-10 days.
It depends on the bang out.
Some black-eyed Susan plants are annuals and must be replaced each year.
Some are biennials, and many are short-lived perennials.
So they may live one, two, or a few years.
