Black Eyed Susan

Annual, Biennial •  $6, 4-inch pot

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Height	2 to 4 ft
Spacing	1 to 2 ft
Sun Exposure	Full to Part Sun
Soil Moisture	Medium
Bloom Color	Yellow
Bloom Time	June – Sept
Companion Plantings	Purple Coneflower, Wild Bergamot, Royal Catchfly
Special Attributes

Rudbeckia hirta

Many gardeners aren’t aware that this common but beautiful native plant is an annual or biennial (it completes its lifecycle in 1 or 2 seasons after its flowering period) because it often reseeds and replaces itself so successfully. This is a wonderful choice for young gardens for that reason, as it will often bloom in its first year in any somewhat fertile soil. In established garden beds, this plant will slowly make way to longer-lived perennials. This plant is tolerant of light shade and poor/clay soil and is moderately drought tolerant, requiring very little care even when grown from seed.

In many areas east within its range (including Kentuckiana, where we receive relatively consistent moisture), this plant grows fully to 4 feet, after which it may become floppy when it begins to flower; plant among other taller forbs or grasses to help alleviate this issue. This plant can be distinguished from other similar looking Rudbeckia species by its distinctly hairy stems and leaves, and its flowering period, which begins in June and is earlier than Orange Coneflower (R. fulgida) or Sweet Black Eyed Susan (R. subtomentosa).

In addition to being a satisfying and care-free plant for cultivation, Black Eyed Susan is also a boon for wildlife. It is host to around 17 caterpillar species in the Southern Indiana/Louisville area, including to the Blackberry Looper Moth (pictured) and Silvery Checkerspot. The flowers offer both nectar and pollen to many insect visitors, including butterflies, moths, many bees (including some specialist bees), wasps, butterflies, and beetles. Birds may also occasionally eat the seeds. The coarse foliage is largely ignored by mammalian herbivores.

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