Black Eyed Susan

The Black-Eyed Susan plant, (Rudbeckia), was named after a Swedish physician, Olaus Olai Rudbeck. Rudbeckia is a classic perennial and blooms in mid to late summer. It is a member of the Aster family and close family members include annuals, biennials, and perennials. Black – Eyed Susan’s are easy to care for and they prefer full sun, or nearly full sun, and well drained soil. This plant makes excellent, long lasting, bright cut flower arrangements.

Black-Eyed Susan’s attract wildlife including butterflies and hummingbirds. They are also quite drought tolerant and are very good plants for very hot and dry areas of the garden. They are great plants for borders, cut flowers, or naturalized in woodland gardens. Many times these plants are used for massed planting and the yellow flowers with the black eyes are very ‘eye’ catching. Black –Eyed Susan can be planted near Black Walnut trees as they are juglones tolerant and they prefer a soil pH of < 6.8.

The roots of Rudbeckia have been used as an astringent for washing sores and swellings. Native Indians have used a root poultice comprised of Rudbeckia roots for snake bites and other remedies for colds and worms in children. We offer several varieties of Black- Eyed Susan and they are listed below.