Wildflower fields filled with black-eyed Susan are a sight to behold in after spring and summer in the southern United States. Related to their sunflower relatives, Rudbeckia hirta grow under similar conditions. Large open meadows that receive full sun are ideal for them, but flower beds are also perfectly suited.
Wherever you want to plant yellow flowers or native plants to attract beneficial insects, it is wonderful for this wonderful member of the Aster plant family. If yellow flowers are not your thing, there are many daisy-like flowers of other colors in the genus Rudbeckia. You can grow a black-eyed Susans perennial and have cut flowers when it’s warm and when it’s temperate in the fall.
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All about Black-Eyed Susans
Black-eyed Susanas are botanically known as Rudbeckia hirta. There are tons of Rudbeckias out there, and we’ll cover them in the next section of this article. While some are specific varieties of Rudbeckia hirta, there are others that belong to the same genus but are different species (sun hat). These plants are native to North America, where they have been cultivated for hundreds of years.
Some are annual, and there are also perennial varieties. Most have a golden yellow ray of petals surrounding the dark central cones. The differences between the botanical structures vary only slightly between the other Rudbeckias of the asters family. All of these stems grow long stems in the spring from a rosette-like leaf formation that is hairy or smooth and leathery. The leaves are lanceolate or oval with a deep central vein. Flowers often remain throughout the fall in areas where the cold begins only after. These native plants self-sow and return in the spring, even in warm areas – a testament to their drought-resistant nature.
Types Of Black-eyed Susan
Here are some of the most common types of black-eyed Susan. Moreover, not all of them are golden yellow in color.
Rudbeckia hirta, ‘Black-eyed Susan’, ‘Brown-eyed Susan’,’Lazy Susan’: this is the most common of the flowers of rudbeckia and the state of Maryland. Annual, biennial or perennial, depending on the cultivar.
Rudbeckia fulgida, ‘Rudbeckia Goldsturm’,’Orange Coneflower’,’Perennial Coneflower’: seven cultivars, two of which have received the Royal Horticultural Society’s award of garden merit. Tall stems with golden-leaved flowers with a pronounced central cone.
Rudbeckia californica, ‘California Echinacea’: native to the prairies and riverbeds of northern California. Perennial wildflowers that grow taller stems about 1 to 2 feet tall. Cylindrical cone surrounded by bright yellow petals.
Rudbeckia triloba, ‘Brown-eyed Susan’,’Brown-eyed Susan’: more often seen in fields or along roads. A more elaborate carpet of smaller flowers. The leaves grow in triads.
Rudbeckia hirta ‘Cherokee Sunset’: one of those dwarf varieties of double-flowered Rudbeckia with petals the color of the setting sun. Sometimes two-tone shades of yellow, orange, red, bronze and mahogany.
Rudbeckia hirta ‘Double Gold’: a thick bundle of golden petals that seems to almost double in density. Grows up to 2 feet long.
Black-eyed Susan Plant Care
You may be glad to read that growing black-eyed Susan flowers is quite simple and easy. Let’s discuss the growing conditions necessary to have a good first season with your black-eyed Susan Goldsturm or your lazy Susan flower.
Planting Black-Eyed Susan
In the spring, wait until the soil temperature reaches at least 70° Fahrenheit before planting Rudbeckia, or 1-2 weeks after the last frost. These plants grow between 1 and 3 feet tall and can extend from 12 to 18 inches. To promote tighter and more compact growth, sow your seeds close to each other to prevent the plants from spreading. To make an edge row, spread the seeds wider. Sprinkle the seeds on the prepared soil. Cover lightly with soil and water gently. You will see them emerge in the spring and develop a yellow flower with a black center from after spring to early summer.
Sun and temperature
Most black-eyed Susans like full sun, although some varieties can also do well in partial shade. Plan for full sun as it tends for Susan’s flowers to bloom best in environments with full sun. It can withstand the heat of a three-digit summer and a freezer at -30°. Black-eyed puppies would not need protection in these extremes. They are most difficult in zones 4 to 9. In the lower numbered areas, black-eyed Susans are short-lived perennials or annuals.
Water and humidity
Although the black-eyed Susan can tolerate some drought conditions, she really prefers regular watering. After all, it regularly grows along areas that retain water (river bottoms, roadsides, meadows, etc.). But he doesn’t like standing water, so be sure to drain it well! I can say from experience that constantly wet feet finish a Rudbeckia plant, so your growing medium should drain well. Because they are prone to mold, water their base with a drip irrigation system, soaking hoses or a watering can in the morning. In the first year, you need to keep the soil moist. After the first year of growth, new plants require little care in this regard and require very little water to thrive even in the summer heat. Do not water often in winter to ensure that the conditions are the best for rest. In general, these plants are drought-tolerant.
Low
A well-drained but moist medium with a lot of organic matter is ideal for growing Rudbeckia. Although it can tolerate many types of soil, from clay to sand and everything in between, the plant likes its roots to breathe well while having easy access to water. Black-eyed Susans prefer a pH of 6.8 to 7.2.
Cut
Prune the first bright yellow flowers and the seed heads of your lemon yellow or Gloriosa daisy plants to extend the flowering period of the flowers. This will give you more flowers or a second set at the end of summer. To avoid self-seeding, deadhead passes flowers. If you have a bed dedicated only to these plants, have them reseeded in the bed, but other types of plants and younger black-eyed Susans can be moved. Especially if you work with sage plants, such as, for example, Russian sage, give your sun hats enough space for good air circulation. You may be wondering when the black-eyed Susans bloom? Most varieties bloom from June to September, when you often find yourself in a dead end so that the plants bloom longer. Prune the stems once they have finished blooming to try to encourage another Toto lemon blossom in after autumn until the first frost date.
Spreading Black-Eyed Susan
There are two reliable propagation methods for these beautiful flowering plants. The seeds can be sown directly or in pots (see the planting section above). You can also propagate by dividing a plant in spring or autumn, before or after the flowers bloom. To divide and plant Black-eyed Susan, pick up the soil around the base of the plant to determine the width of the root mass. Dig 6-10 centimeters from the base of the plant on all sides. Slide a trowel, transplanter or shovel under the root mass and carefully remove it so as not to disturb the roots. Shake off or dust off excess dirt. Carefully separate the root mass or cut it with a sterilized knife. Then plant 3-5 tuberous roots, each root ball containing both thick tubers and smaller roots. Divide your perennials every 3 to 5 years to prevent them from becoming overcrowded.
Pest
Aphids suck the sap from the plants in your garden and prevent those beautiful flowers that you are looking forward to. Ensure prevention by spraying neem oil on all plant surfaces and scaring away aphids.
Neem oil also prevents the eggs of cabbage worms from hatching. Cabbage worms eat the leaves of your plants, and also prevent flowers. If you need something stronger, consider a pyrethrin spray. Pyrethrins are effective against aphids and cabbage worms.
