Brown-eyed Susans
Rudbeckia triloba
Photo by Pam Ford
Summary
Rudbeckia triloba is also known as brown-eyed Susan due to its purplish-brown centers, and offers a profusion of brilliant yellow flowers blooming from late summer till frost. As the name indicates, the leaves often have three lobes, and the rosette of leaves that originates at the base of the stem persists through the winter, creating an attractive winter ground cover.
It self-sows readily and is very adaptable, growing in almost any soil in full sun or light shade.
More Details
FAMILY
Asteraceae (Aster)
BLOOM TIME
August-September
FLOWER
Yellow with dark center disc
MATURE SIZE
4-5 feet
LIGHT REQUIREMENT
Sun
SOIL CONDITIONS
average to dry
NATIVE STATUS
PA Native
Ecosystem Connections
Brown-eyed susan is a late-season nectar source for pollinators. It’s a larval host plant for the silvery checkerspot (Chlosyne nycteis), and the wavy-lined emerald (Synchlora aerata), and the seeds are valued by birds.