Black-Eyed Susan is one of the most recognizable and widespread wildflowers going. Not surprisingly then, it is also one of the easiest to grow from seed. Black-Eyed Susan, sometimes called yellow daisy or yellow coneflower, is native to all "lower 48" U.S. states except Arizona and Utah (range map) and to large parts of central and eastern Canada (horticulture hardiness zones 3-9).

Considered an annual in some parts of its range, biennial or perennial in others, Rudbeckia hirta is probably a short-lived (4-5 years) perennial in most areas. Individual plants of long-lived perennial species may live for decades. Obviously, such plants are not as dependent on annual seed production for long-term survival as is a short-lived perennial or annual plant. Black-eyed susan, a short-lived perennial, does exceptionally well from seed.

R. hirta is the state flower of Maryland. In fact, at the Preakness Stakes, at Pimlico in Baltimore (one of America's premier horseracing events), the winning horse is crowned with--guess what--a horseshoe-shaped wreath of "black-eyed susans" around his sweaty neck. This plant does best in full sun (the most blooms) but does fine in light shade as well. It tolerates most soils except poorly drained ones. Bright yellow daisy-like blooms, with a purplish-brown center, appear on 1-3 feet tall plants in early summer.

Rudbeckia hirta is a good cut flower, easy to grow and tough as nails. By the way--for you academic types--the genus Rudbeckia is named after a Swedish botanist, Olaf Rudbeck, who taught botany to Caroleus Linnaeus, the guy who came up with this whole binomial latin scientific name business!

This yellow daisy-like flower attracts all kinds of butterflies, bees, and other insects looking for nectar, as well as song birds for the seeds. And Black-Eyed Susan leaves provide the nutrition for larvae of the Silvery Checkerspot butterfly.

Visit our store to check out prices and other info on seeds of Black-Eyed Susan (also a component in many of our seed mixes).