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Right on pool cue during the dog day of August , black - eyed Susans ( Rudbeckia ) illuminate flower garden and undefended fields everywhere like bright rays of sunshine . If any industrial plant could be the post horse minor of late summer it would be this one . The bright dark-skinned flowers in gay shades of lemon - white-livered , orange , and gold bloom for weeks with minimal attention . They also pull a continuous procession of pollinators , bringing even more vividness and vibrancy to the summer garden .
In the past few years , an telling array of garden cultivars in a complete gamut of heights , color , and forms has been developed . These young - generation Susies offer greater flair and versatility , making them suited for mise en scene rank from prairie - style plots to urban gardens .
On this page : Basics|How To Plant|Growing Tips|Popular Varieties|Good familiar
On this page :
BLACK-EYED SUSAN BASICS
Rudbekiais a member of the helianthus family ( Asteraceae ) and has like daisy - like heyday . Although calamitous - eyed Susans are also called coneflower because of their strobile - shaped straits , they should not be confused withpurple coneflowers(Echinacea purpurea ) . Both heyday come from the same plant family and need interchangeable grow experimental condition , but the people of color and appearance of the flower differ . Confusion also arises when gardeners issue forth across theblack - eyed Susan vine(Thunbergia alata ) . This unrelatedRudbeckialook - alike is a tender , warm - climate perennial indigene to Africa .
Zones:
Varies by coinage , but the typical range is 3 through 9 .
Exposure:
Full sunshine ( See morefull - Lord’s Day perennials ) .
Bloom period:
industrial plant have a long peak period even without deadheading , typically flourishing from late July until the first frost . Some cultivars , such as ‘ Early Bird Gold ’ , have stretch efflorescence time and will begin flowering in mid to late springiness .
Height:
Varies dramatically , anywhere from 10 inches to 7 feet , depending on the cultivar .
Flower characteristics:
prime size range from 2 to 9 inches wide and can be single , semi - treble , or amply bivalent . The petals pasture in shade from bright yellow to orange - gold , and some cultivar display flush of red , bronze , or reddish brown . The flower ’s eye , or center , is actually more benighted browned than dark , but some cultivars , such as ‘ Prairie Sun ’ , have green nerve centre .
Common types:
There are about 25 species ofRudbeckia , all aboriginal to North America . Many species are really biennials or short - lived perennials but because they self - sow readily , they often return each spring from seed distribute the previous nightfall . Rudbeckia hirta(common black - eyed Susan ) andR. fulgida(orange coneflower ) are the coinage most readily available to gardener and admit many of the newest cultivar . However , there are act of other species deserving seeking out because of their unique attributes includingR. maxima(large coneflower),R. laciniata(tall coneflower),R. triloba(brown - eyed Susan or three - lob coneflower),R. subtomentosa(sweet coneflower ) , andR. nitida(shiny coneflower ) .
HOW TO PLANT BLACK-EYED SUSAN
When to plant:
Plant dark - eyed Susan works in the spring after the last icing , or 6 hebdomad before the first hoarfrost in fall .
Where to plant:
Rudbeckiawill thrive in just about any cheery fix that has well - drained soil . They will tolerate drouth better than they will soggy undercoat . If you live on in a hot , humid climate , select a topographic point in the garden where your plants will receive plenteous breeze circulation to avoid the development ofpowdery mildew .
Growing from seed:
Seeds can be start indoors about 10 weeks before your last frost date , follow software program steering for depth . Be sure to harden seedling off before plant them outdoors . ( study more onhow to go seeds indoor . )
Seeds can also be planted like a shot in the garden . Scatter seed over the soil , then mildly constrict them in or cover with a very lightsome bed of soil . Water regularly to keep the seedbed moist . As seedlings grow , thin to 6 to 12 inch apart for dwarf miscellanea and annuals and 18 to 30 inch apart for perennials , depending on the mature size of it of the plant . Water thoroughly to keep the grunge moist until your plants become install . Once they are well - rooted , they will be able to bear wry conditions .
GROWING TIPS
Like most wildflowers , black - eyed Susans are outstandingly carefree , drouth - broad , and disease resistive . Even so , here are some steps you’re able to take to extend their bloom time and keep them good for you :
POPULAR VARIETIES
picture by : catus / Shutterstock .
' Double amber ’ ( Gloriosa daisy)Rudbeckia hirta
Zones:4 - 9Height:3 feet
A very gaudy twice - flowered form of black - eyed Susan with large golden - sensationalistic flowers up to 3 ½ inch wide produced in profuseness on foresightful , inflexible stems . Grow as an annual or a short - inhabit perennial . In mild climates , seed may be sow immediately in the garden and will begin to develop in 2 to 3 week .
Photo by : Proven Winners .
‘ Goldsturm’Rudbeckia fulgida
Zones:3 - 9Height:2 to 3 foot
‘ Goldsturm ’ hold up up to its German name , which means “ gold storm ” , producing a storm of 3- to 4 - inch blooms from late July through September . This hardyRudbeckiais also a long - lived perennial once established . Chosen as the 1999 Perennial Plant of the Year by the Perennial Plant Association .
‘ petty Goldstar’Rudbeckia fulgida
Zones:4 - 10Height:14 to 16 inches
‘ trivial Goldstar ' has all the attributes of ‘ Goldsturm ’ in a stocky knee - high size saint for containers and distance - challenge urban gardens . Flowers bloom for a foresighted clock time atop disconsolate green foliage .
Photo by : All - America Selections .
' Cherokee Sunset’Rudbeckia hirta
Zones:5 - 9Height:24 to 30 inches
This pop All - America Selection features bloom in a ardent autumnal gloss pallette of yellowed , orange , bronze , and Venetian red . doubled and semi - duple bloom of youth range from 3 to 4 ½ inch across and vary in color intensity like the changing chromaticity of the setting sun . This half - hardy yearly requires wintertime protection from Robert Lee Frost but will enthusiastically reseed in the garden and retort the undermentioned year .
Photo by : Del Boy / Shutterstock .
‘ Toto Lemon’Rudbeckia hirta
Zones:5 - 9Height:10 to 12 inch
The gnome ‘ Toto Lemon ’ ( part of the Toto ® series ) bears an teemingness of large 2- to 3 - inch lemon - yellow blossom with chocolate - brown centers . Because of its tidy , thick habit , the flowers come along to cover the entire plant like a ready - made bouquet . Ideal for container and mixed borders . Not perennial but will often reseed .
picture by : Rock Giguère / Millette Photomedia .
' Early Bird Gold’Rudbeckia fulgida
Zones:3 - 9Height:1 ½ to 2 fundament
The name order it all . The chirpy gold bloom of this enthusiastic bloomer set about to awaken before those of the other Susans , putting on a display from mid - June through October . A alone day - neutral plant life , it blossom regardless of the period of time of daylight it ’s unwrap to , thus the extended flower clip . It also appease nice and succinct , making it a secure choice for bringing uninterrupted people of color to smaller gardens or the front of the perimeter .
' Prairie Sun’Rudbeckia hirta
Zones:5 - 8Height:2 ½ to 3 invertebrate foot
It almost seems sacrilegious to make a black - eyed Susan without its namesake eye color , but one look at this stunning cultivar will make you a convert . A 2003 AAS success , it features spectacular 5 - inch blooms with light gullible centre surrounded by flower petal that fade from peachy orange to touchy primrose yellow at the tips .
' Indian Summer’Rudbeckia hirta
Zones:3 - 7Height:3 to 3 ½ feet
Another AAS winner , admired for its Brobdingnagian sunflower - same bloom of youth up to 9 inches across , much larger than other cultivars . The favorable - yellow flowers with dark cocoa centers are veridical standouts in nosegay , realize thisRudbeckiathe 2000 Fresh Cut Flower of the Year honour from the Association of Specialty Cut Flower Growers .
Photo by : Iva Villi / Shutterstock .
' Herbstsonne ' ( Autumn Sun)Rudbeckia laciniata
Zones:5 - 9Height:4 to 7 metrical unit
This is perhaps the tallest of the Susans , growing so eminent that you may look up to its enormous peak at eye level . The petals droop delicately , drawing attention to the large gumdrop - influence unripened center cones . Because of its tiptop , this Susie can tumble unless break some financial support . For a short - statured plant , cut back by half in June before flowering occurs .
picture by : InfoFlowersPlants / Shutterstock .
' Henry Eilers’Rudbeckia subtomentosa
Zones:4 - 8Height:4 to 5 groundwork
Another good back - of - the - borderRudbeckia , this diversity grows to about 5 feet and is distinguished by svelte lemon yellow - yellow petals that curl tightly like miniature scroll of composition rather than lie flat . As a bonus , the foliage has a sweet-flavored vanilla extract - like smell , making it a with child improver to corsage .
GOOD COMPANIONS
Black - eyed Susans grow alongside bee balm . Photo by : Vahan Abrahamyan / Shutterstock .
Although the shiny , cheery flowers and dark center cone of black - eyed Susans create a spectacular colour contrast on their own , these versatile plant couple attractively in the garden with other summer- and descent - blooming perennials and annuals . Try some of these eminent - impact expression :
