Black-eyed Susans (Rudbeckia hirta) are native to North America and one of the most popular wildflowers grown. They tend to blanket open fields, often surprising the passerby with their golden-yellow beauty.
Members of the aster family, Asteraceae, the “black eye” is named for the dark, brown-purple centers of its daisy-like flower heads. The plants can grow to over 3 feet tall, with leaves of 6 inches, stalks over 8 inches long, and flowers with a diameter of 2 to 3 inches.
Butterflies, bees, and a variety of insects are attracted to the flowers for the nectar. As they drink the nectar, they move pollen from one plant to another, causing it to grow fruits and seeds that can move about easily with the wind.
These plants bloom from June to October. Note that they can be territorial in that they tend to squash out other flowers growing near them.
Black-eyed Susans are good for cut flowers; they also work well for borders or in containers.
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BE Susan’s invasive habit
I have heavily landscaped an acre so I use flowers that self-seed, perennials and bulbs as much as possible. The Susans are the most invasive flowers I have. I sprinkled a lot of seeds about 10 years ago and they quickly covered everything. They even pop up all over the lawn so I spend time pulling some out and planting them along fencelines. Works well as long as they are small. If it wasn’t for them, there would be flowers in some areas so I’m glad they spread.
Garden thug?
I live in zone 9b in northern California and have planted Black-eyed Susans for the first time. I had no idea they were rhizomes which I tend to avoid. Are they likely to take over the garden in our hot, dry climate? Thanks for all the helpful information about this plant.
Deer-resistant.....NOT!
Black-eyed Susans are not deer-resistant! I live in West Virginia, and we routinely have white tailed deer in our yard. They will mow off black-eyed Susans like you've run a lawn mower over them. I have to spray them with deer spray, which works like a charm, but has to be reapplied after rain. Mix 16 tablespoons of hot sauce, 4 tablespoons of dishwashing liquid and a gallon of water. Spray generously over the plants.
Black-eyed susans' deer resistance
While there is no such thing as truly deer-resistant, Black-Eyed Susans are categorized as “Seldom Severely Damaged” so they’re not the very last choice but they’re definitely not on the menu if deer have other choices. Because its covered in course hair, deer and rabbits tend to stay far away from it.
Blackeyed Susans
I live in middle Nebraska. I have planted and grown from seed blackeyed susans and yet they do not come back the next year. This is the 6th year I will be planting them. How do I get them to come back the following year?
Blackeyed Susans
This past spring I had planted a lot of black eyed susan seeds and runners I had purchased from the garden center and a ton of small leaves about 3-5 inches tall appeared but not any flowers at all. How many seasons does the plant need to mature enough to grow the flowers? I am a gardner who wants instant gratification and waiting for them to mature is hard. I love Blackeyed Susans but may need to find them already potted to plant in my flower garden?
Deer Repellent suggestion
While at a home supply store about a year ago looking for a product to repel deer (north/mid Michigan) the garden supply agent told me while the sprays work fairly well he had another good idea and took me to the closet supply area and gave me a box of moth balls. He told me to throw a few around the flower bed every few weeks/months and it should help to deter the deer. The deer had eaten all of my new tulips that spring and I was heart broken. Anyway, I was willing to try the moth balls and it DID work. I have the rare occasional deer foot print in the flower bed but no new chewing damage noticed. Just want to share. Mind you, I do not have any pets that are allowed into that area nor do I have any small children in my home or my neighbors. So its a win/win for me.
BLACK EYED SUSANS
I have very healthy growing forest of black eyed susans. I do not mind them leaching out into other areas. What end of season care should I take to best winterize them. Do I leave them alone, trim them or cut them to the ground? Vancouver Washington, USA
Black-eyed susans
Hi Rick, Black-eyed susans are one of those perennials that you can simply leave alone through the fall for winter interest and for the birds to enjoy.
However, if you don’t want to leave it, cut back the perennial to two inches above the ground.
See more about cutting back perennials.
black eyed Susan
when to transplant plants or is it best to sow seeds. Have a friend that wants these flowers.
the ones that we have see to be taking over and even jumped the sidewalk to get into another flower bed
Planting black-eyed susans
We would either plant small transplants in the fall or we’d start seeds indoors about 4 to 6 weeks before the last spring frost date. The flowers seem to handle transplanting well enough from seedling, and tend to bloom stronger and healthier than directly-sown seeds. If you sow inside, ensure the seeds aren’t covered too heavily with soil. Again, they need the light to germinate. Keep seeds and seeding moist, but not soggy.
You can certaily sow seeds, too, and these flowers self-sow so they pick up from seed pretty easily. Just note that it could take a year for the seed to bloom so this requires more patience. To sow: Sprinkle the seeds on top of regular seed starting mix about six weeks before the last frost date. Do not cover the seed as they need light to germinate. Plant your seedlings outdoors after any danger of frost has passed.
Hi,
Hi,
Deers and rabbits love munching on my flowers. I use two products that seem work very well. One is deers and rabbits repellent spray. But it smells very strongly bad. The second one is hot pepper spray. I made it from boiling the seeds of Thai red chillies. I sprayed on my garden. They ate one and didnt come back for 3 years. They came back this year and I sprayed the pepper liquid again and it seems like they havent come back. Hope it helps.
Deer love my black eyed susans
its a losing battle every year. I spray, spray and spray but they always eat the buds a few days before blooms.
I moved and replanted a black
I moved and replanted a black eyed susan about 5 years ago and where I put it it seems to have put out runners and now it is taking over my landscaping. How do I get rid of the runners and just keep the main plant. The previous spot was bound by sidewalk and stayed in the original spot.
invasive black-eyed Susans
Black-eyed Susans can spread via seeds and underground rhizomes. To prevent spreading, deadhead the flowers before they set seed. As to controlling the spreading of rhizomes, that is more difficult. As you may have found, if you don’t get every piece, chances are that section of rhizome (a modified stem) that is left will produce another plant. Here are suggestions from the Purdue Cooperative Extension as to how to combat this problem:
1) Provide a large area of mulch around the mother plant. Keep up with digging up any rhizomes that spread from that mother plant (several times each growing season).
2) Another option would be to replant the mother plant in a container (with drainage holes) and put the container in the ground, with the rim about 2 inches above the soil surface. Check periodically to make sure rhizomes do not escape the container. Every year or two, prune the roots to keep the plant confined in its container, or repot as needed.
3) A third option would be to insert a barrier (or collar) around the plant, such as a section of deep-walled bottomless pipe about 8 to 18 inches deep, to prevent rhizomes from spreading.
In the meantime, use a garden fork to expose current rhizomes and then gently remove them from the soil.
Hope this helps!
Black-eyed Susans
So beyond the fact that Black-eyed Susans are nice to look at, Black-eyed Susan has been known to cause mild poisoning in cattle and pigs. It may also be dangerous to cats, dogs and other household pets. This flower should also be kept away from small children, who may chew it or get the sap on their skin.they are poisonous to most
question
aren't most varieties of Black-eyed Susan's biennials?
black eyes Susan Vine in pot
I did not know anything about tis flower except it was beautiful so I bought two in pots and they are growing great but I have no room to plant them so wonder if I can get a trellis for them. Will they stay green in winter or die back , I'm in Southern California,
trellis for black-eyed Susans?
These are not trellising/climbing plants, although they do stand tall. Just leave them in the pots, in sun. They will not stay green; in fall they will die back. You can trim the dead foliage and leave them. Note, however, these are available as annual (Rudbeckia hirta) and perennial (Rudbeckia fulgida) varieties. If you have an annual, it will not come back. Check the plant tags.
Black eyed susans
My susans have 2 different leaves and no buds . The leaves at the bottom of the stalk and the top of the stalk are different. What's going on ??
Potted Black eyed susans
I purchased some Black eyed susans this past spring and have not gotten them in the ground yet. I live in central Michigan. Do I have to bring them indoors for the winter and do I need to prune them back some?
over the winter
Prune them and put them in a somewhat sheltered area outdoors. You do not want the roots to freeze, thaw, and freeze (repeat). Or, dig a hole and submerge the pot to its soil depth. You could try to keep them in a garage or basement, with occasional light watering.
Black Eyed Susan
Planted 9 healthy plants 2-3 years ago, healthy plants with abundant flowers UNTIL this year. Spread and produced flowers until this year, plants only 4-5 inches tall and a single flower on a stem of 5 inches and TINY. Should be knee high and blooming by Aug 1st. Help??? Marge
planting plans not seeds
I know one should plant seeds when the soil temp is 70 or above...but what about planting Blackeyed Susans if I have a 1-gallon plant?...same temp?
blackeyed susans
have a container, how and when would I plant it
How far to cut back in fall/winter
I have several of these wonderful plants that were planted this summer. I was pretty good about dead-heading during bloom time but now our Northern California winter is fully upon us and they are a mess. How far back to I cut them and when? I'm nervous about cutting back too far or not enough...suggestions?
Cutting back Black Eye Susan
2 inches from the soil should do it. Great bloom next season.
reseeding
I cut the heads off after the first hard freeze. They are all black and dead. Should I stir the seeds in the dirt to reseed for next year or do I wait until spring to seed? Which is best to make sure they come back?
can seeds be planted from cutbacks before frost ?
should the seeds from dried autumn blooms be saved for next spring?naturally they would fall and scatter.
Cutting back Black Eye Susan
You can cut back Black Eye Susan 2 inches from the soil. This will energize the plant. They will grow hearty the next blooming season.
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