Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)

Black-Eyed Susan

(Rudbeckia hirta)

Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz

CC BY-SA 4.0

Image By: Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz

Recorded By:

Copyright Notice: Photo by: Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz | License Type: CC BY-SA 4.0 | License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0 | Uploader: Kenraiz | Publisher: Wikimedia Commons | Title: Rudbeckia_hirta_kz03.jpg | Notes: {{Information |description={{en|Rudbeckia hirta pulcherrima}} |date=2017-05-17 |source=https://www.inaturalist.org/photos/7861779 |author=[https://www.inaturalist.org/users/459141 Brady Reed] |permission= |other versions= }} {{Location|29.8387216667|-95.

Estimated Native Range

Summary

Rudbeckia hirta, commonly known as Black-Eyed Susan, is an upright annual, biennial, or short-lived perennial herb native to open woodlands, prairies, fields, and roadsides across the Eastern, Central and Intermountain United States. It typically grows 30–100 cm (12–39 in) tall and 30–45 cm (12–18 in) wide. The plant has alternate, mostly basal leaves that are 10–18 cm long, covered with coarse hair, and stout branching stems. The daisy-like, composite flower heads feature yellow ray florets surrounding a conspicuous brown or black, dome-shaped cone of many small disc florets and bloom from late summer to early autumn. The species’ flowers are up to 10 cm (4 in) in diameter, but breeding has produced a variety of sizes and colors, including oranges, reds, and browns.

Black-Eyed Susan is valued for its vibrant flowers and adaptability, making it a popular choice for summer bedding schemes, borders, containers, wildflower gardens, prairie-style plantings, and as cut flowers. It thrives in full sun, requires medium amounts of water, and prefers soils with medium to slow drainage. While it is generally low-maintenance, it can be susceptible to powdery mildew and leaf spot diseases. Rudbeckia hirta can be potentially invasive outside its native range, so gardeners should check local regulations before planting.CC BY-SA 4.0

Plant Description

Plant Type: Herb
Height: 2-3 feet
Width: 1-2 feet
Growth Rate: Rapid
Flower Color: Brown, Orange, Yellow
Flowering Season: Summer, Fall
Leaf Retention: Deciduous

Growth Requirements

Sun: Full Sun
Water: Medium
Drainage: Medium, Slow

Common Uses

Bank Stabilization, Bee Garden, Bird Garden, Border Plant, Butterfly Garden, Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant, Fire Resistant, Groundcover, Hummingbird Garden, Low Maintenance, Potted Plant, Rabbit Resistant, Salt Tolerant, Showy Flowers, Street Planting

Natural Habitat

Open woodlands, prairies, fields, and roadsides

Other Names

Common Names: Blackeyed Susan, Hairy Coneflower, Rauhhaariger Sonnenhut, Rauer Sonnenhut, Rauher Sonnenhut, Marguerite Jaune, Rudbeckia Hérissé, Rudbeckie Hirsute, Rudbeckie Hérissée, Ruige Rudbeckia, Sträv Rudbeckia

Scientific Names: , Rudbeckia hirta, Rudbeckia monticola, Rudbeckia brittonii, Rudbeckia hirta f. viridiflora, Rudbeckia serotina var. serotina, Coreopsis hirta, Rudbeckia serotina f. serotina, Rudbeckia amplectens, Rudbeckia hirta var. brittonii

GBIF Accepted Name: Rudbeckia hirta L.