Description

This cheerful, widespread wildflower has bright-yellow, 2-3 in. wide, daisy-like flowers with dark-chocolate brown centers. Flowers occur singly atop 1-2 ft. stems. The stems and scattered, oval leaves are covered with bristly hairs. Attracts birds, butterflies and bees. Black-eyed Susan is considered an annual or short-lived perennial. It blooms in the first year from seed planted in early spring (there’s the annual part!). Although individual plants may not survive from year to year (there’s the short-lived perennial part!), R. hirta freely self-seeds and will usually remain in the garden through self-seeding. Deadhead spent flowers to encourage additional bloom and/or to prevent any unwanted self-seeding. P.S. No one knows who Susan is! Height: 2-3 ft. Spread: 1-2 ft. Family: Asteraceae Bloom time: June to September Sun: full sun Water: medium Naturalize According to Rutgers University, Rudbeckia are “seldom severely damaged” by deer.