Black-eyed Susan
Rudbeckia hirta
Also listed as Centrocarpha hirta, Coreopsis hirta
Also known as Common Black-eyed Susan, Brown Betty, Hairy Coneflower
Climate Match for your location
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A cheerful annual or short-lived perennial wildflower with bright yellow petals surrounding dark purple-brown centers. Easy to grow and prolific bloomer in hot, sunny spots.
Why grow it
Rudbeckia hirta outperforms many annual flowers in heat and drought tolerance once established, making it a reliable choice for full-sun perennial borders or meadow plantings where water conservation matters. Its extended bloom period (summer through fall) and minimal fertilizer requirements align well with low-input permaculture design, and it self-seeds readily in suitable conditions, reducing replanting labor. Compared to hybrid sunflowers, black-eyed Susan establishes faster and flowers more prolifically in poor soils.
Watch out for
In regions with high summer humidity, powdery mildew can develop; spacing plants for air circulation and avoiding overhead watering help mitigate this. Deadheading extends bloom time, but allowing some flowers to set seed encourages natural regeneration, which can lead to volunteer seedlings in unexpected locations the following year. Plants may behave as annuals in cold climates but persist longer in warmer zones, so regional performance varies.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Asteraceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Eastern North America
Native to: Alabama, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, West Virginia, Wyoming
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Season of Interest
Herb
Soft non-woody plants of the field layer.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Flood Tolerance
Deer Resistance
Inferred from USDA browse palatability
pH Range
Soil Texture
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
A cheerful annual or short-lived perennial wildflower with bright yellow petals surrounding dark purple-brown centers. Easy to grow and prolific bloomer in hot, sunny spots.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Black-eyed Susan grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Rudbeckia hirta outperforms many annual flowers in heat and drought tolerance once established, making it a reliable choice for full-sun perennial borders or meadow plantings where water conservation matters. Its extended bloom period (summer through fall) and minimal fertilizer requirements align well with low-input permaculture design, and it self-seeds readily in suitable conditions, reducing replanting labor. Compared to hybrid sunflowers, black-eyed Susan establishes faster and flowers more prolifically in poor soils.
Watch out for
In regions with high summer humidity, powdery mildew can develop; spacing plants for air circulation and avoiding overhead watering help mitigate this. Deadheading extends bloom time, but allowing some flowers to set seed encourages natural regeneration, which can lead to volunteer seedlings in unexpected locations the following year. Plants may behave as annuals in cold climates but persist longer in warmer zones, so regional performance varies.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Asteraceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Eastern North America
Native to: Alabama, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, West Virginia, Wyoming
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Season of Interest
Herb
Soft non-woody plants of the field layer.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Flood Tolerance
Deer Resistance
Inferred from USDA browse palatability
pH Range
Soil Texture
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
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