Black-Eyed Susan
Rudbeckia hirta
Summary
The cheerful faces of ‘black-eyed Susans’ set pollinator gardens and roadsides ablaze in summer. The genus name Rudbeckia honors Olof Rudbeck, teacher and mentor of Linnaeus, whose tall stature and brilliant mind were reflected by this flower, and hirta (hairy) refers to its rough, hairy leaves and stems. In central Pennsylvania, this branching self-seeder appears mid-summer through fall. It’s highly drought- and deer-tolerant, and the yellow ray florets persist after development for a long season of beauty.
More Details
FAMILY
Asteraceae (Aster)
BLOOM TIME
June - September
FLOWER
Yellow with dark centers
MATURE SIZE
2-3 feet
LIGHT REQUIREMENT
Full sun
SOIL CONDITIONS
average, medium moisture
NATIVE STATUS
PA native
Ecosystem Connections
The nectar of black-eyed Susan flowers attract a number of bees, and females provisioning nests collect the pollen. Sweat bees, bumble bees, and leafcutter bees are frequent visitors, along with a number of specialist bees. Many butterflies enjoy perching on the flat, open blossoms to drink nectar. Each floret produces an achene (a small, one-seeded fruit) that is attractive to birds.