Brown Eyed Susan - Rudbeckia fulgida

Brown Eyed Susan plants were often used by the Native Americans to treat several conditions.  They used this lovely plant to treat flu, colds and other infections.  It was also used as an astringent to clean sores and wounds and even in treating snake bites and worms or parasites in children.  It can also be used in drops to treat earaches. The Brown Eyed Susan is a Summer standard. This coneflower grows 8 to 20 yellow or orange petals that point down and out from its raised center. These summery blossoms have brown cone centers are held up on stiff, fuzzy green stems. The oval-shaped green leaves have prominent veins and cover the stem’s height, supporting a single flower head each. The leaves are of varying size, usually slender, and are also fuzzy. The nectar and seeds they supply attract birds, bees, butterflies, and wildlife. They take over when they begin to grow in large colonies, especially when growing in the wild Brown- Eyed Susan plants are lovely daisy-like flowers that can grow up to five feet tall. The stems are hairy and have dark red stems. The stems end with one or two flowers, each of which is about 2 inches in diameter when fully bloomed. Each flower head has between six and twelve petals of bright golden yellow with a brown center. Six or more flowers may bloom at the same time, making a glorious display in the landscape. To grow Brown- Eyed Susans, choose a spot in the partial sun and contains fertile, loamy dirt. The plant is reasonably drought tolerant but prefers to be watered when dry. The flower self-pollinates, and attracts bees and other pollen-seeking visitors to the garden. Nectar loving insects also enjoy the bright flowers of the Brown-Eyed Susan. Try this encouraging, sturdy biennial in your garden today.