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Rudbeckia hirta

Image of Rudbeckia hirta

Felder Rushing

Family

Asteraceae

Botanical Name

Rudbeckia hirta

Plant Common Name

Common Black-eyed Susan, Gloriosa Daisy

General Description

Common black-eyed Susan, also called gloriosa daisy, is a short-lived perennial that is native to much of North America. It is a warm season wildflower that can be found growing in old-fields, thickets, rocky prairies, meadows and roadsides. There are lots of colorful cultivars available. All are wonderfully easy to grow and long-blooming.

The rich green leaves of gloriosa daisy and linear, often lance-shaped, and have a coarsely hairy surface that’s rough to the touch. The leaves form neat basal clumps that send up thick, leafy stems topped with large gold or orange daisies with prominent, raised black-brown centers. Blooming begins in summer and can continue for up to two months with diligent deadheading. The flowers are superb for cutting and attract many pollinators, such as bees and butterflies.

Grow Rudbeckia hirta in full sun and well-drained soil with average fertility. It is prone to root rot and powdery mildew, so space it well to encourage good air flow and allow its soil to dry between watering. Taller selections may require staking.

This popular ornamental is at home in cutting gardens and mixed borders. There are numerous cultivars with varying heights and flower colors, sizes and petal numbers. Some of the most notable include the large-flowered, ‘Indian Summer’, and the exemplary mix, ‘Autumn Colors.’ Rudbeckia hirta will self-sow but not aggressively.

Characteristics

  • AHS Heat Zone

    9 - 1

  • USDA Hardiness Zone

    3 - 9

  • Sunset Zone

    1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24

  • Plant Type

    Perennial

  • Sun Exposure

    Full Sun, Partial Sun

  • Height

    2'-3' / 0.6m - 0.9m

  • Width

    12"-18" / 30.5cm - 45.7cm

  • Bloom Time

    Early Summer, Summer, Late Summer, Early Fall

  • Native To

    North America, Alaska

Growing Conditions

  • Soil pH

    Neutral

  • Soil Drainage

    Well Drained

  • Soil type

    Loam, Sand

  • Tolerances

    Pollution

  • Growth Rate

    Fast

  • Water Requirements

    Drought Tolerant, Average Water

  • Habit

    Clump-Forming

  • Seasonal Interest

    Summer, Fall

Ornamental Features

  • Flower Interest

    Showy

  • Flower Color

    Yellow, Orange, Gold, Bronze, Chocolate

  • Flower Color Modifier

    Bicolor

  • Fruit Color

    Brown, Chocolate

  • Foliage Color (Spring)

    Green, Dark Green

  • Foliage Color (Summer)

    Green, Dark Green

  • Foliage Color (Fall)

    Green, Dark Green

  • Fragrant Flowers

    No

  • Fragrant Fruit

    No

  • Fragrant Foliage

    No

  • Bark or Stem Fragrant

    No

  • Flower Petal Number

    Single

  • Repeat Bloomer

    Yes

  • Showy Fruit

    No

  • Edible Fruit

    No

  • Showy Foliage

    No

  • Foliage Texture

    Coarse

  • Foliage Sheen

    Matte

  • Evergreen

    No

  • Showy Bark

    No

Special Characteristics

  • Usage

    Bedding Plant, Cutflower, Mixed Border, Wildflower

  • Sharp or Has Thorns

    No

  • Invasive

    No

  • Attracts

    Birds, Butterflies

  • Self-Sowing

    Yes