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.
Reader Comments
Leave a Comment
Hello, Got some BIS growing
Hello,
Got some BIS growing beautyfull and green, they are bigger then last year. I don't know if they are going to bloom because they are in a shaded area. It is mid may in Virginia beach. Do you think they arw going to bloom??
My BIS were beautiful last
My BIS were beautiful last year,( first year). They are starting to put on flowers but the centers and petals seem to be green! Have you ever seen this? Do the plants need some nutrients or is it too early to panic? May in Louisiana
I live in upstate NY. I
I live in upstate NY. I planted black eyed Susan's in a large container last spring. The plant bloomed all summer. I don't see any signs of it coming back this spring. Will these plants survive in containers over the winter?
Some varieties are annul and
Some varieties are annul and other varieties are perennials. Plus, folks have mixed results in general.
Also, make sure you don't cut the foliage after the flower blooms; that's how it develops blooms for the following year.
I planted 4 huge one last
I planted 4 huge one last year. They are still brown from the winter. I don't see any green at all. Should I cut them down for them to start growing again?
Hi, Deana, Black-eyed Susans
Hi, Deana,
Black-eyed Susans thrive without attention or care in the wilderness but you can cut them down without worry. They'll come back!
I planted a variety of
I planted a variety of perenial flowers including several black eyed susan plants of various varieties. I did not cut them back in the fall (snow came) and now that the snow is melting I am wondering if I should cut the stalks off these plants. Does the new growth come from the part under the ground or will all these plants with thier dead looking stems and flowers regrow with new life? I am located in central Ontario.
The new growth comes from the
The new growth comes from the ground. So, as perennials, they should grow back, without your removing the stalks. Cutting, and so, cleaning them up, is optional and should present no problem.
Hi, can you please tell me if
Hi, can you please tell me if blacked eyed susans will completly die off or will the leaves on the vine still live on and flower every year? This is the first time I've grown them frm seed. Thanks.
Really, a Black-Eyed Susan
Really, a Black-Eyed Susan could behave as an annual or a perennial depending on where you live. Usually, it behaves as a perennial and come back. If grown in the warm south, however, it might behave as an annual.
I live in Phoenix, AZ and
I live in Phoenix, AZ and just bought two perennial BES from Big lots. Should I plant in shade? partial sun or full sun? Will they survive here until it gets over 100 degrees? Will the heat kill them or will they return next year???
Plant them in partial sun to
Plant them in partial sun to protect them from the hot summer weather. The plants will bloom in spring and early summer. Cut them back in mid-summer and you should see new growth in early fall. They should survive the winter and come back next spring. Good luck!
On my many trips to visit my
On my many trips to visit my sister in N.C. coming from VA, Black-eyes Susan, show their lovely faces along the highway. They were love at first sight. I also have a very special cousin & Best Friend, named Susan, who is going through a difficult sickness in her life. She reminds me of these plants, because they are so strong, & they both bring me such pleasure. May they both live forever in Jesus's Grace, from earth to Heaven.
My SIL gave me a BES plant
My SIL gave me a BES plant that I put in a pot with a natural trellis and put it on my back deck. The vines, leaves and remaining flowers have succumbed to the frost and colder temps we have had this week. I want to preserve it for next Spring but do not know what to do for it. Should I cut the vines back? Should I bring it inside for the winter? Thank you for your help!,
Hi Lori, Black-eyed Susan
Hi Lori,
Black-eyed Susan vines are perennial in warmer climates but are usually grown as annuals in regions that have freezing temps. You can bring it indoors to see if it will survive. You can cut it back so that it is more manageable.
I have a huge garden of BES.
I have a huge garden of BES. In a moment of insanity, I decided to pull up the stalks, rather than cut them down. (I cut off all the seed heads and threw them back onto the soil, as I normally do). The rest of the plant is still in the ground--just the flower stalks were pulled. I mistakenly thought they grow from seeds rather than the root systems. My question is, do you think that I have damaged the plants enough to seriously affect their growth next summer? Thanks.
If the roots are in the soil
If the roots are in the soil the plants should be OK next year. Removing the flower stalks doesn't hurt the plants. Black-eyed Susans will also sprout from the seeds that you left in the soil.
Yellow raised spots on my bes
What is this and how do I get rid of it
Hi I planted black eyed
Hi I planted black eyed susans this spring from plants they did really great all summer ( we live in the heart of Illinois) but now that the flowers have stopped blooming I cut back the dead stalks the blooms were on. Do I need to do anything before winter with the plants themselves. I love them and looked forward to the flowers all summer. Can't wait to see them in bloom next summer thank you.
Black eyed Susans are hardy
Black eyed Susans are hardy perennials and will survive in the ground. New shoots will grow from the roots in the spring.
Got some R. hirta seeds this
Got some R. hirta seeds this summer and couldn't resist planting them in a flat. Had excellent germination. Pricked out a couple of dozen seedlings and planted in individual small pots.
With frosts on the near horizon (Zone 5) I am concerned about taking the seedlings through the winter. Should I bring them inside under "grow lights?"
Suggestions, please?
can I plant BES from one
can I plant BES from one house to the other in early oct in Toronto? Canada?
Please let me know.
Hi, Sai: You can do this, but
Hi, Sai: You can do this, but you really need to hurry. It works best in the fall when before the first frost, which usually is around Oct. 6 in Toronto. However, when we were in Toronto a couple of weeks ago (we could have helped you!), we believe there was scattered frost then, non? In any event, divide and remove them carefully and make sure they are well watered periodically after transplanting. Add some fertilizer to their new holes, too. And cover with a thick layer of mulch to better insulate during their first winter in their new home. Thanks for asking!
I recently moved into my
I recently moved into my Dad's house and he has BES around the side of his house. They need to be separated and are beautiful right now. I want to move them and right now they get quite a bit of sun. I want to move some into the back of the house and it gets sun back there in the afternoon. Will they be alright there? And when can I transplant them?
Hi I planted black eyed susan
Hi I planted black eyed susan for 2 years straight, but they didnt come back. So I didnt bother to plant last year because I was very desappointed. I love black eyed susan so no long ago I went to the store and I saw some very healthy, nice black eyed susan and bought some. I planted them and put around the stop weed that black rug and after that i put mulch and after a little over a month they dont look as nice as when I bought them. Some are still up and some are down, they dont look fresh. As if they are begining to dry or rotten. Is there anything i can do to bring them alive again? I dont know if with Michigan weather if they will come back next year. We're suppose to get another rough winter again, thats the predection. Another question I have been buying tall beaded iris from Oregon, Georgia. I am wondering if they will make it through or not? Thanks in advance
Hi, Yemmit: Make sure that
Hi, Yemmit: Make sure that your Susies get one really good watering each week. Otherwise, back off. Leave the seedheads on for wildlife, plus to help you reseed for next year. Whether they come back, time will tell. You will need to remove Iris from the ground, divide, and clean, then get back into the ground well before first frost (use the Frost Dates tool under Gardening above). Again, time will tell. We wish your ladies well!
Hi Dear Almanac thanks so
Hi Dear Almanac thanks so much for replying I read before that iris should be remove from the ground and divided every 3 to 4 years. I just started ordering my Iris in June, some arrived in July and some arrived this month so I planted them the same day. I am expecting some tomorrow though so I dont think they need to be remove from the ground because I just planted them on less they need as you said for an specific reason. But my corcerns is if they can take zone 3 or zone 4, because I bring my cannas inside every year in late summer and want to make sure tall bearded iris are not like cannas or the banana plants. I will follow your advice on the Sussies thanks again.
I have my BES spread over
I have my BES spread over border beds. No other plants are having problems. I have beautiful flowers but the leaves are all wilted.There is no sign of any pests. Ground is well watered, there is mulch in the beds, and the other plants are thriving well. HELP
Hi, KV: If it's possible
Hi, KV: If it's possible (i.e., they are not too intermixed/-mingled with your other plants), try cutting back on their waterings (twice a week) but watering very deeply in order to encourage deep roots. Water in the morning, and only if they look wilted then. Otherwise, continue to take pleasure in the blooms' beauty and understand that it's often just the nature of these ladies' leaves to get bedraggled in summer's heat (don't we all?), not to mention get all tuckered out from producing their beautiful flowers.
Can I just take the spent
Can I just take the spent flower of My BES and plant it in the fall? Will the winter hurt the seed? I live in NJ so we do get a few months of cold and snow...
Pages