Black Eyed Susan – Vibrant Yellow Perennial (Rudbeckia hirta)

Black Eyed Susan is a beloved native perennial that adds cheer with its iconic yellow petals and brown center. It is in the same family as daisies and coneflower.

Plant Details – Black Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)

Family: Aster (Asteraceae)

Light Requirement: Full

Water Needs: High

Height: 2-3 ft.

Spread: 2-3 ft.

Growth Rate: Fast

Bloom Time: Summer

Flower Color: Yellow

Wildlife Value: Attracts bees and butterflies

Landscape Uses & Garden Care Tips for Black Eyed Susan

The Black Eyed Susan is fast-growing, low-maintenance, and will become an instant hit in your garden. Cut and come again: enjoy consistent blooms day after day from your cutting flower garden! They bloom from spring through early fall, when most other flowers are already finished blooming.

Place some in your garden as a great addition to the front of the border or your cottage garden. Make a bold statement in a pollinator or butterfly garden or allow their wilder side to shine in meadow inspired, naturalistic style gardens. Pair with coneflower, joe pye, and garden phlox for a winning combination that will turn heads when neighbors walk by your front yard.

This plant loves sunny days! Give it full sun to have it be its happiest; it thrives best in the sun. However, it can tolerate some shade.

The beauty and easy care of this plant will truly win you over and have you singing its praises. Give it full sun, space to grow, and water when dry. No need to water if raining regularly without drought. This plant does not require fertilizer. You can add compost or leaf mold to the soil when planting with a slow-release fertilizer.

Key Benefits & Wildlife Value of Black Eyed Susan

Black Eyed Susan will attract many pollinators to your garden, including bees, wasps, and butterflies. It is the larval host to butterflies including the Bordered Patch and Gorgone Checkerspot. Leave the stems of this plant to overwinter to help increase the populations of these butterflies.

This is a very hardy perennial that adds bright pops of color to the landscape, bouquets and floral arrangements with its vibrant yellow petals and dark brown centers.

This Is How Your Plants Will Look upon Delivery

Bloom Season

Summer

Bloom/Foliage Color

Yellow

Height at Maturity

Over 12"

Care

Black-eyed Susans thrive in well-drained soil and need regular watering, especially during dry spells. Remove spent blooms to encourage more flowers. These hardy plants are relatively pest-free.

Plant Reproduction

Black Eyed Susan spread in gardens through self-seeding and rhizome growth.

How to Grow and Care for Bare Root Perennials, Tubers, and Bulbs

Bare root perennials, tubers, and bulbs are an easy and economical way to jumpstart your garden with lasting beauty. These dormant plants should be planted in early spring or fall while the soil is cool and workable. Before planting, soak bare roots in water for 1–2 hours to rehydrate them. Choose a location based on the plant’s light needs—most flowering types prefer full sun, while others thrive in partial shade.

For bare root perennials, dig a shallow hole and spread the roots out naturally, ensuring the crown is level with the soil surface. For tubers and bulbs, plant with the pointed side facing up at a depth about two to three times their height. Cover with soil, gently press down, and water thoroughly.

Keep soil consistently moist (not soggy) until new growth appears. Add mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds, but avoid covering the crown or bulb tops. Once established, these plants require little maintenance—just seasonal watering, occasional dividing, and deadheading or pruning as needed. With proper care, they’ll return and thrive year after year.

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