Rudbeckia hirta is a biennial or short lived perennial, but will readily reseed itself. It blooms from mid-summer to early fall, showcasing bright yellow petals with dark brown centers. This plant prefers well-drained soils and can tolerate a variety of soil types, including clay, loam, and sandy soils. Black-eyed Susan grows to a height of 2-3 feet and requires full sun to partial shade. It is a popular choice for wildflower cottage gardens, attracting pollinators such as bees and butterflies.
It is a larval host plant for the Silvery Checkerspot. Black-eyed Susan is also highly attractive to birds as they feed on the seed heads during fall and winter. Free bird feeder, anyone? If you would like to add this beneficial beauty to your own landscape, we’ve got it! It’s easy to schedule a time to visit us on our website. Our plants are straight species, grown from seed to promote genetic diversity and neonicotinoid free! We look forward to seeing you!
🌿 Botanical and Horticultural Profiles
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
Provides a comprehensive plant profile, including habitat preferences, morphological details, and ecological relationships.
🔗 wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=ruhi2
Missouri Botanical Garden – Plant Finder
Offers insights into cultivation practices, plant characteristics, and notable cultivars.
🔗 missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?taxonid=277225
USDA Plants Database
Provides taxonomic information, distribution maps, and status details for Rudbeckia hirta.
🔗 plants.usda.gov/plant-profile/RUHI2
🐝 Ecological and Pollinator Information
Penn State Extension – Black-Eyed Susan: Beautiful and Beneficial
Highlights the plant’s importance to pollinators, including butterflies and bees, and its role in supporting wildlife.
🔗 extension.psu.edu/black-eyed-susan-beautiful-and-beneficial
North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Discusses the plant’s role in pollinator habitats and provides guidance on cultivation.
🔗 plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/rudbeckia-hirta
🌎 Conservation and Status Reports
USDA Forest Service – Fire Effects Information System
Offers insights into the plant’s distribution, ecological role, and response to fire.
🔗 fs.usda.gov/database/feis/plants/forb/rudhir/all.htm
📚 General Reference
Wikipedia – Rudbeckia hirta
Offers an overview of the species, including taxonomy, cultivation, ecological interactions, and traditional uses.
🔗 en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rudbeckia_hirta
