Summary
Woodland black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta var. hirta) is a fast growing, herbaceous annual, biennial or short-lived perennial. It prefers a moist, well-drained, modestly fertile soil in full sun to part shade.
Growing 1½ -2’ tall and 1-2’ wide, its leaves are greyish green, covered with small stiff hairs, and are up to 7″ long and 2″ wide. Showy flowers are borne singly atop branched, bristly, erect stems from early to mid summer. Each flower is from 2-3” across, has a central, flattened brownish maroon cone that is surrounded by 8 to 16 colorful, yellow orange petals. There are several color selections available in varying shades of red and brown. Some plants will bloom during the late summer or fall, removing spent blooms encourages reblooming.
Easy care, a long season of bloom, and a radiant and abundant floral display are attributes that have earned woodland black-eyed Susan its appeal as a regular in the perennial border. Combine with purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea), obedient-plant (Physostegia virginiana), and prairie dropseed (Sporobolus heterolepis). In a wildflower garden combine with flowering spurge (Euphorbia corollata) and shaggy gayfeather (Liatris pilosa). Woodland black-eyed Susan makes a great cut flower as well.
Woodland black-eyed Susan offers nectar and pollen to a wide range of insects, including several bee and fly species, wasps, beetles, and butterflies. It is the larval host plant for the Wavy-lined Emerald moth caterpillar. Consider leaving seed heads up through winter as seeds are enjoyed by goldfinches and other songbirds. This plant is generally deer and rabbit resistant once it has grown out of its early, tender growth. Zones 3-8.
More Details
- Plant Type
biennial, short-lived-perennial - Sun/Shade Conditions
full-sun - Foliage Character
semi-evergreen - Soil Moisture
average, moist - Flowering Period
late-summer, mid-summer - Soil PH
adaptable - Flower Color
yellow-orange - Summer Foliage Color
green - Fall Foliage Color
green - Fruit/Seed Color
brown