How to Grow Black-eyed Susans: The Complete Black-eyed Susan Flower Guide (2024)

How to Grow Black-eyed Susans: The Complete Black-eyed Susan Flower Guide (1)

Caption

Black-eyed Susans (Rudbeckia)

Photo Credit

Flower_Garden/Shutterstock

Botanical Name

Rudbeckia hirta and other species

Plant Type

Flower

Sun Exposure

Full Sun

Part Sun

Bloom Time

Summer

Fall

Flower Color

Orange

Red

Yellow

Hardiness Zone

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

Special Features

Attracts Butterflies

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Subhead

Planting, Growing, and Caring for Black-eyed Susans

Catherine Boeckmann

How to Grow Black-eyed Susans: The Complete Black-eyed Susan Flower Guide (2)

Beloved by pollinators, black-eyed Susans (Rudbeckia hirta) generally bloom from June to August, often blanketing open fieldswith their golden-yellow beauty. Learn how to care for this native wildflower, when to cut it back, and how to save seeds forreplanting.

What Are Black-eyedSusans?

The “black eye” of black-eyed Susans refers to the dark brown center of its daisy-like flower head. A member of the aster family, Asteraceae, and native to eastern North America, it has become naturalized in Zones 3 to 9. And while some species of black-eyed Susans have additional names—such as Gloriosa daisies—they all belong to the Rudbeckia genus.

Black-eyed Susans grow 1 to 3 feet tall or more with leaves of 6 inches, stalks over 8 inches long, and flowers with a diameter of 2 to 3 inches.Butterflies, bees, and other insects are attracted to the flowers for the nectar. As they drink the nectar, they move pollen from one plant to another, causing it to grow seeds that can move about easily with the wind. Learn more about our favoritewildflowers.

“The Silvery Checkerspot butterfly uses Rudbeckia species as a host plant,” explains the University of Maryland. “Seed is consumed by song birds, especially goldfinches.”

In the garden, they do well in landscapes, borders, butterfly gardens, or containers. Also, they are outstanding cutflowers.

Black-eyed susansare Sun worshipers who forgive neglect and are tough as nails. However, avoid overcrowding these plants or watering their leaves (vs. soil level), which can lead to fungal disease.

Note that varieties can be annual, biennial, or perennial. The popular Rudbeckia hirta is treated as a short-lived perennial. See more about the recommended varietiesbelow.

Read Next

  • 20 Easy-to-Grow Perennial Flowers for Beginners

  • How to Grow Coneflowers: The Complete Echinacea Flower Guide

Planting

The black-eyed Susan thrives in full sunshine. It tolerates partial sun, but it will not bloom as reliably. It’s best if the soil is fertile (not poor), though this plant can tolerate toughconditions.

When to Plant Black-eyedSusan

  • Set new plants out in thespring after all danger has passed or plant in the fall. The optimal soil temperature for germination is70° to 75° F. Do not plant in the hotsummer.
  • If planting by seed, sow seedsabout 6 weeks before the average lastfrost.

How to Plant Black-eyedSusan

  • Plants should be set 18 inches apart. Remove weeds and loosen the soil.Make a hole a few inches wider than the plant and set it in the hole; backfill it with soil, tamp gently, and water itwell.
  • If planting from seed indoors,sprinkleseeds on top of the regular seed starting mix. Do not cover the seed, as they need light to germinate. Plant your seedlings outdoors after any danger of frost has passed. Since black-eyed Susans can spread between 12 to 18 inches, plant seeds closer to prevent lots of spreading, or plant further apart to make a nice borderand to prevent the spread ofdisease.
  • Black-eyed Susan spreads by self-seeding (after the first year) and underground rhizomes; this can result in it overtaking other nearbyflowers.

Growing

  • Check plants regularly to see if they need watering. Avoid letting them dry out, and avoid excess moisture on the leaves, as this can encourage disease. (Provide plants with properspacing.)
  • Deadhead the flowers any time of year (remove the faded/dead flowers) to prolong blooming and minimizeself-seeding.
  • Remove dead plant material in the spring to reduce the risk ofinfection.
  • Divide perennial types every 3 to 4 years to ensure healthy plants and prevent excessivespreading.

Should You Cut Back Black-EyedSusans

When it comes to black-eyed susans, we prefer to delay cutting back untilspring.

  • This plant is a favorite with wildlife, native insects, and birds with its driedseeds.
  • In addition, overwintering birds find protection in plant stubs and groundcovers.
  • Plus, the mound of foliage will insulate the roots and protect the plant overwinter.

However, black-eyed Susans are a big reseeder. To avoid this, cut the spent flowers back just below the mound offoliage.

Types

As well as the traditional black-eyed Susans, which grow 1 to 3 feet tall (or more), there are dwarf varieties that reach no more than 1 foot (perfect for containers). Varieties can be annual, biennial, orperennial.

The popular roadsideRudbeckia hirta with showy yellow flowersis a biennial in the wild but treated as a short-lived perennial in the garden. It self-seeds abundantly, naturalizing easily.If you sow seeds 6 weeks before the last frost date, you’ll see flowers in the first year, and they may returna few more seasons (but you can’t always count on it). Some of its many hybridsinclude:

  • ‘Autumn Colors’: yellow, orange, red, and brown flowers; 18- to 24-inchstems
  • ‘Becky Mixed’:lemon-yellow, golden-yellow, dark red, and reddish-brown flowers; 10- to 16-inchstems
  • ‘Prairie Sun’: All-America Selections winner; 4- to 6-inch bright orange flowers that fade to yellow at the tips; 28- to 23-inch stems. See AAS Winning Rudbeckia varieties!
  • ‘Sonora’: large goldenflowers with big, chocolate-brown centers; 12- to 16-inchstems
  • ‘Toto Gold’:dwarf type; classic yellow flowers with black centers; 12- to 16-inch stems; ideal forcontainers

There are also true, long-lasting perennials that will keep coming back and blooming year afteryear.

  • ‘Goldsturmm’ black-eyed Susans (Rudbeckia fulgida ‘Goldstrum’),known for its longevity anda regular plant in late summer and fallgardens
  • ‘Sweet’ black-eyed Susans (Rudbeckia subtomentosa), bearingtaller flowers and ideal for more naturalized garden ormeadow
  • Gloriosa Daisies’(Rudbeckia hirta ‘Gloriosa’), 12- to 36-inchestall and tolerates partial shade;giant, bi-color doubleflowers.

Finally, some Rudbeckia varieties are annuals, such as the Clasping Sunflower (Rudbeckia amplexicaulis), a low-growingplant for the front of a bordergarden.

Harvesting

Cut flowers for display just before buds completely open. Use large blooms as centerpieces and smaller ones as accents. Change the water every day to keep them fresh. Vase life is 8 to 10days.

How to Collect Seeds of a Black-eyedSusan

Once the seed heads are dry and brown, it’s time to clip some stems. Pop off the seed heads from the stems and toss them in a small jar; close the lid and shake it to loosen the seedheads. Then, dump the seed heads from the jar into a sieve with a white piece of paper below it. Break up the seed heads in the sieve with your fingers. The seeds will come off and fall through the sieve onto the paper! Fold the paper in half and carefully funnel those seeds into a paper envelope. Close and label the envelope and store it in a cool, dryplace.

Learn more about how to save seeds for nextyear.

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Wit and Wisdom

  • Black-eyed Susans are meant to symbolize justice. Find out more flower meanings here.
  • The genus name Rudbeckia honors Swedish scientists Olaus Rudbeck (1630–1702) and his son, Olof Rudbeck(1660–1740).
  • The species name hirta means “hairy” and refers to the short bristles that cover theleaves.
  • Black-eyed Susans are the state flower ofMaryland.

Pests/Diseases

Black-eyed Susans aredeer-resistantplants.
Diseases:powdery mildew, aster yellows, Botrytis blight, southern blight, angular leaf spot, fungal leaf spot, downy mildew, rust,white smut, Verticillium wilt.
Pests:aphids, nematodes,slugs, andsnails

Flowers

About The Author

Catherine Boeckmann

Catherine Boeckmann loves nature, stargazing, and gardening so it’s not surprising that she and The Old Farmer’s Almanac found each other. She leads digital content for the Almanac website, and is also a certified master gardener in the state of Indiana. Read More from Catherine Boeckmann

How to Grow Black-eyed Susans: The Complete Black-eyed Susan Flower Guide (4)

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Comments

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I JUST PURCHASED A BLACK EYED SUSAN PLANT AND 3-4 DAYS LATER THE FLOWERS ARE DROOPING.....BEEN WATERING AND PUT IN FULL SUN.

  • Reply

This issue is often related to watering. Either too much or too little water. To adjust, first, feel the soil. If it’s dry a couple of inches down, it’s time for a drink. If it’s soggy, give them a break from watering. Also, if it’s only a few days, don’t worry as new perennials need toadjust.

  • Reply

It is such a lovely flower that is short and easy to maintain. It grows very easily and it is said to be the first and foremost flower to be grown at any disaster areas. It can be used in art decors even when it is dried.

  • Reply

I've had BYS for years in my garden. There is something very dark brown, almost black which has spread all over most of the leaves. Do you know what it is and how should I deal with it.. I'd also like to know how and when to transplant volunteers.

  • Reply

Hi, Nina. It sounds like your black-eyed Susans have a fungus. The most common treatment is to use a fungicide such as chlorothalonil. As for transplanting, the best time to do this is mid- to late spring, though even early summer would be fine. Goodluck!

  • Reply

This year, the deer are eating the black eyed susans and cone flowers!!
Seems nothing is deer resistance.

  • Reply

Deer will eat anything if they are hungry enough but they certainly see some plants as candy and others as distasteful. Here is a list of deer-resistant plants: https://www.almanac.com/deer-resistant-plants

  • Reply

Worse than ever this year. What I see are earwigs, though I saw a slug elsewhere on the property. What can I do that wont hurt the dog or the good insects?

  • Reply

Slugs- Egg shells or anything that is ruff edged.
Baking soda around plant based.

  • Reply

Useneem oil or insecticidal soap. Search on this site for naturalpesticides:https://www.almanac.com/organic-pesticides

  • Reply
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