Black Eyed Susan

The vibrant Black Eyed Susan offers a long Summer and Fall blooming cycle, making it a favorite of all sun perennials. Its striking yellow petals resemble daisies, making it a garden favorite. It also attracts pollinators like butterflies, bees, and birds, making it an essential favorite in the garden. The black "eye" in the center of the deep yellow blooms is striking, making it a more exotic plant than most.

 

Black Eyed Susans Resilience and Growth

At maturity, it grows to be 1-3 feet in height, and the spread is 1-2' wide. If you love growing plants that offer more than just beauty, always opt for native plants and wildflowers like the Black Eyed Susan. The Latin name is Rudbeckia Hirta, and for those without a green thumb or those wanting a resilient plant that blooms and can not be harmed easily, this is the plant for you!

They Thrive In Sun

These perennials thrive in full sun and well-drained soil and are low-maintenance native plants that live for decades. That's why TN Nursery loves natives; not only are they disease- and pest-resistant, but they are also low-maintenance and hardy. Wildflower gardens and beds are usually where homeowners like to plant rudbeckia plants.

It is a vibrant and cheerful flowering plant native to North America, belonging to the genus Rudbeckia. Here's a description:

Appearance: They are known for their striking appearance, featuring golden-yellow petals surrounding a dark brown center, giving them their "black-eyed" look. The petals are often daisy-like in shape, with a slightly drooping or upright habit depending on the variety.

Size: These plants can vary depending on the species and cultivar, but they typically range from 1 to 3 feet in height and have a spread of about 1 to 2 feet.

Blooming period: They typically bloom from midsummer to early fall, adding color to gardens and landscapes.

Growing conditions: They thrive in full sun and well-drained soil, although they can tolerate various soil types, including clay and sandy soils. They are relatively low-maintenance plants and are drought-tolerant once established.

Landscaping uses: They are famous for borders, mass plantings, wildflower gardens, and cottage gardens. They also attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies, making them valuable additions to wildlife-friendly landscapes.

They Have Stunning Blooms

Overall, Black Eyed Susans are cherished for their beauty, resilience, and ability to brighten up any garden with their vibrant blooms.

They have a flower pattern similar to daisies. However, their bright yellow petals and cone-shaped centers are a dead giveaway. This exceptionally cheery flower can survive less-than-perfect conditions, making it an excellent choice for dryer climates. Whatever your landscaping plans, read on to discover why they should be a part of them.

The Aesthetic Appeal of the Black Eyed Susan 

They are mostly known for their bright yellow petals, which are of a similar hue to common sunflowers. The petals reach the sky before splaying parallel and then downward to expose the unique cone-shaped center. This gives the blooms an expressive appearance that spreads color and life throughout any landscape they adorn. Another attractive feature is the stem length. 

The plants can grow between one and three feet tall, with two feet being the average. The long stem supports a single flower, which allows the bloom to be the focal point of the entire plant. The plant leaves are mostly basal, so they stay low to the ground. So, the stem holds the flower high off the ground with no nearby leaves cluttering the visual appeal. 

The green plant has blade-shaped alternate leaves that grow about 3 and 7 inches long. The leaves and the stem of the plant are covered in fine hairs. The flowers' diameter can vary between 1 ½" to 3" wide. 

One of their most striking visual features is the intricate cone structure. The cone juts out from the bases of the petals and is flanked by tiny, sophisticated leaflets that reveal a bulging cluster of disc florets. As the flower's petals splay out, the tiny leaflets surrounding the cone similarly prostrate themselves - giving the bloom a concentric, ordered appeal. 

In a garden, the gilded petals contrast to green ground cover plants and can handsomely complement flowers of various colors. Since they produce nectar that attracts pollinating insects and birds, they're an excellent option for drawing colorful wildlife and cultivating a bustling ecosystem in outdoor spaces. 

Benefits of Them

 They have become one of the most popular flowers in America for various reasons. Here are just a few of them:

They Make Excellent Bouquet Flowers - Once cut, they can last for ten days or more. This makes them ideal for adding to your bouquet and other floral arrangements. Their bright yellow petals liven up outdoor and indoor areas and work well with purple, white, and red blooms. 

They Produce Seeds - Pollinators like bees and butterflies seek out the flower's nectar. Once pollinated, the flower produces seeds that attract a variety of birds. So this is an excellent option if you want to attract more wildlife to your garden. They are also a staple among cultivators of butterfly gardens. 

Easy Coverage: If given enough space, the plant can spread and provide excellent coverage of outdoor areas. Even as the stems support just one flower each, the plant can quickly colonize empty outdoor spaces. 

Larval Hosts: Certain butterflies lay their eggs in them because the nectar sustains their larvae. Some of the species of butterfly that use them as larval hosts include the Silvery Checkerspot butterfly, the bordered patch butterfly, and the Gorgone Checkerspot butterfly. 

Visual Appeal: Of course, many home gardeners enjoy the visual appeal of the flowers. The yellow petals and the dark centers (from which they derive their name) produce an attractive color scheme reminiscent of summer weather. Their golden-blazing palette also helps to illuminate dreary earth tones and liven up otherwise dull areas of gardens. 

Mosquito Control: Lastly, they can help regulate the mosquito population in outdoor areas. The nectar and seeds of these flowers attract birds and dragonflies that feed on mosquitoes. Limiting mosquito exposure can also safeguard yourself and your loved ones from insect-borne illnesses. 

If you are still on the fence as to whether the plant would be suitable for your gardening needs, take a look at the following list of common questions and their answers: 

Do They Come Back Every Year? 

The short answer is that they can. Depending on the growing conditions, they can be perennial, biennial, or annual; feed the plant with fertilizer or compost to encourage perennial growth. Deadheading will also keep the flowers healthy and proliferate new blooms. 

When Should You Plant Them? 

It would help if you planted yours in the spring or at the outset of autumn. Be sure to plant them where they will be exposed to full sun. Provide partial shade as the root system establishes to encourage longer blooming periods. 

How Tall Do They Grow? 

In general, the plant's long, skinny stems will lift the dazzling yellow flowers about 1-2 feet in the air. As always, the growing conditions will greatly affect how tall these plants grow and how wide they spread. 

Sun or Shade?

They thrive in full sun. You can also extend their bloom by giving them partial shade. 

When Do They Bloom? 

The plant tends to bloom from the early summer until just after the first frost of autumn. 

Add Sunny Black-Eyed Susans to Your Garden

At TN Nursery, we pride ourselves on making gardening fun and accessible for all. Our Black Eyed susans are easy to plant. Place your order today and breathe new life into your outdoor spaces.

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