Black-eyed Susan
Rudbeckia hirta
Also called: Brown-eyed Susan
Black-eyed Susan. Rudbeckia hirta, the black-eyed Susan, is a short-lived perennial or biennial native to most of the contiguous United States and the state flower of Maryland. Golden-yellow ray petals surround a prominent dark chocolate-brown disk, blooming from June through October. Tolerates heat, humidity, drought, and poor soil — one of the easiest native perennials to grow from seed.
Growing & care
- Sun: full sun. Tolerates light shade but flowers fewer and weaker.
- Water: low. Established plants only need supplemental water during severe drought.
- Soil: any reasonably drained soil. Tolerates clay, sand, and rocky ground.
- Hardiness: USDA zones 3–9 — exceptionally adaptable across temperate North America.
- Bloom: June through frost when deadheaded; leave a few late seed heads for goldfinches and natural reseeding.
- Spacing: 12–18 inches apart.
Propagation
Self-sows freely — letting a few seed heads mature provides next year's plants for free. Direct-sow in late fall or stratify seed cold for 4 weeks and sow in early spring. Indoor starts germinate in 7–14 days at 70°F and bloom the first year. Division of established crowns also works in spring or early fall.
Common problems
Leaf spot fungi (Septoria) cause dark spotting on lower leaves in humid summers — water at the soil and improve airflow. Aster yellows distorts flowers into green tufts; remove infected plants and destroy. Rabbits and deer browse seedlings but usually ignore mature plants. Black-eyed Susan can mildly upset pet stomachs if consumed in quantity but is not classified as seriously toxic.
Black-eyed Susan — seeds, tools & books
Native range
Native to 38 states