Black-eyed Susans are a showy, daisy-like flower with bright yellow petals and dark brown centers that add vibrant color to gardens across North America. These flowers belong to the aster family, Asteraceae, and thrive in well-drained soil, making them a reliable and easy-to-grow addition to any garden. Blooming from late spring to early summer, black-eyed Susans can handle a range of weather conditions and are deer-resistant, making them a hardy choice for zones four through nine. Whether you’re growing black-eyed Susans in your garden or spotting them along roadsides, their bright flower heads make excellent bouquets.
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These beautiful flowers aren’t just admired for their looks — they’re also a favorite of pollinators like butterflies, bees, and ladybugs. Popular cultivars like ‘Goldsturm’ and ‘Prairie Sun’ add a unique touch to any landscape. Some Native American tribes have even used this native North American wildflower, also known as Rudbeckia fulgida, for its medicinal properties, particularly for boosting the immune system. In this article, I’ll talk about the different types of black-eyed Susans and share tips on growing and taking care of them. This will help you easily add these bright flowers to your garden.
Black-Eyed Susans: Annuals or Perennials?
Black-eyed Susans can be both annuals and perennials, depending on the variety you’re dealing with. Some types, like the Clasping Sunflower, are annuals. These plants grow from seed, bloom, and set seeds all within the same growing season, but they won’t survive the winter. You can plant fresh seeds each year to make sure they return or hope for some self-seeding to bring them back the following spring.
Other varieties, like the common roadside black-eyed Susan, behave differently. In the wild, they are often biennials, meaning they take two years to flower after germinating. However, with a little planning, you can start the seeds indoors before the last frost date and enjoy blooms in the first year. While these might come back for a few seasons, they’re considered short-lived perennials, so don’t rely on them returning every year. True perennial varieties will reliably return year after year, offering a long-lasting burst of color to your garden each fall.
Favorite Black-Eyed Susan Varieties
Formally known as Rudbeckia, black-eyed Susans come in many varieties. Here are a few you may come across:
- Indian Summer (Rudbeckia hirta var. hirta): These drought-tolerant annuals have a classic look and grow somewhere between 3 and 4 feet tall. Indian Summer petals are golden-yellow and can grow up to nine inches across.
- Gloriosa Daisy (Rudbeckia hirta): These produce large flowers and can bloom in many colors, though yellow and orange are the most common. These perennials will usually grow somewhere between 2 and 3 feet tall.
- Clasping Coneflower (Rudbeckia amplexicaulis): These annual, yellowish-orange flowers grow between 1 and 2 feet tall. They are notable for their delicate and somewhat cone-like shape, with oblong leaves that seem to clasp the stem. Clasping Coneflowers are also drought-tolerant and bloom in the spring and summer.
- Sweet Coneflower (Rudbeckia subtomentosa): These perennials can grow up to 5 feet tall and have a long blooming period. They grow best in late summer or early fall.
GLORIOSA DAISY Rudbeckia hirta
How To Plant Black-Eyed Susans
Black-eyed Susans love the sun, and most varieties thrive in full sunlight, though a few varieties also do well in partial shade. When deciding on a black-eyed Susan variety, consider whether you want flowers that pop up year after year or bloom for just one season. Some black-eyed Susans are annuals, whereas others are perennials or biennials.
Perennials, such as the popular sweet coneflower, will make an appearance year after year. Annuals can be planted each season, but they may pop up on their own after leaving seeds behind in the fall. This is common, as most varieties of black-eyed Susan are self-seeding.
Most flowers will spread out over 18 inches as they grow, so leave space between seeds when planting.
When you’re ready to start planting black-eyed Susans, there are a few things to keep in mind. According to the Farmer’s Almanac, it’s best to wait until the soil warms up to about 70 degrees. Depending on where you live, this could be anywhere between March and May. For the best results, choose a spot with full sun, but be mindful that some varieties may need partial sun. Also, make sure the soil drains well, as these flowers don’t thrive in muddy conditions. Since most black-eyed Susans will spread about 18 inches as they grow, give each seed plenty of space when planting.
Black-Eyed Susan Care
One of the best things about black-eyed Susans is that they don’t require much attention, but there are a few key factors to keep them thriving. While these plants are fairly drought-tolerant, it’s still important to water the base of the plant weekly or more often if they look dry or stressed. The soil shouldn’t be allowed to dry out completely, but at the same time, overwatering can lead to rot if the soil becomes too wet or muddy.
To keep them healthy, I recommend dividing your black-eyed Susans every four years in the fall. Simply dig up a section, divide it into smaller portions, and make sure each has a strong root system. Next, replant them in a sunny spot. You can also prolong their blooming by using pruning shears to remove dried or withered flowers throughout the season. Or you can leave the seed heads on the plants after the growing season to allow them to reseed, and they’ll also provide food for birds.
Keep an eye out for any dark brown spots on the leaves, which could indicate rudbeckia leaf spot, a fungal infection. Removing the infected leaves in the fall can help prevent the disease from returning the following season. Though rare, you might also spot small green bugs, which are aphids. If they appear, you can easily handle the issue by spraying the plants with insecticidal soap.
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Final Thoughts on Black-Eyed Susan
Black-eyed Susans are a low-maintenance, beautiful addition to any garden, offering vibrant color and charm throughout the season. They’re easy to propagate, so if you’re looking to expand your garden, growing new plants won’t be a hassle. With the right care, including regular watering and occasional deadheading, they’ll return year after year, filling your space with their signature yellow petals and dark centers. Whether you want a bold splash of color, a pollinator magnet, or a hardy flower that can handle different conditions, black-eyed Susans are a great choice for your garden.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, black-eyed Susans can come back every year if they’re perennial varieties and you properly care for them. While most are perennials, some are shorter-lived but may still return annually with the right conditions.
Black-eyed Susans prefer full sun and thrive when they get at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight daily. In particularly hot areas, they can benefit from a bit of afternoon shade. While they can tolerate some shade, you may notice fewer blooms, and the plants could stretch toward the light, making them more prone to disease.
Yes, black-eyed Susans are known to spread easily.
