Rudbeckia -
Black Eyed Susan
Rudbeckia, commonly known as Black-eyed Susan, thrives as a drought-tolerant, vibrant flowering plant in Florida landscapes. Its native status makes it well-adapted to the region’s climate, requiring minimal watering once established. Its bright blooms not only add a pop of color but also serve as a valuable resource for pollinators, making it a sustainable and eco-friendly choice for gardeners aiming to support local wildlife populations. Rudbeckia can be used to create a border to full sun beds or planted in large groupings for pops of color throughout your landscape.
General Description
Scientific Name: Rudbeckia hirta
Common Names: Black Eyed Susan, Gloriosa Daisy
Native Range: North America
Plant Type: Perennial, Biennial
Zone Hardiness: 2 – 11
Flower Color: Yellow, Orange, Red, or Bicolor
Mature Height: 18 – 36″ depending on variety
Mature Width: 18 – 36″ depending on variety
Plant Traits:
- Showy flowers
- Fast growing
- Deer Resistant
- Drought and Heat Resistant
General Care & Cultural Requirements
Light: Full Sun
Soil Tolerances: sand, loam, clay; acidic to alkaline
Salt Tolerances: Tolerant to soil salts
Drought Tolerances: High (once established)
Recommended Spacing: 12 – 24″
Trimming: Generally not needed, you may deadhead to help promote new blooms during summer, and to remove any dead patches once cool temperatures have caused the plant to enter dormancy
Watering: Water regularly during establishment, and periodically during drought periods.
Fertilizing: Fertilize in spring with slow-release granular fertilizer with a higher phosphorous content (middle number) to promote healthy plants and blooms.
Recommended Planting Season: Spring – Early Summer for Zone 8 – 9
Uses In The Landscape
- Pollinator / Butterfly Gardens
- Native Gardens
- Cottage Gardens
- Borders
- Foundation Plantings
- Small Groupings
Pests & Diseases
Pests can include but are not limited to Aphids, Scale and other sucking/piercing insects.
Downy mildew and powdering mildew can become a problem in wet areas or during periods of large rainfall. This can be mitigated by planting in dryer areas, removing any decaying foliage, and treating with copper-based fungicides.
Notable Varieties, Series, & Cultivars
- Rising Sun Series
- Prized for its large, long lasting, continuous blooms. The most popular variety is Chestnut Gold with large deep orange/yellow bicolor flowers.
- SmileyZ ™ Series
- This series consists of a wide range of cultivars, but are notable for their large, continuous blooms and fast, dense growth rate.
- Indian Summer
- This more traditional looking Rudbeckia boast yellow flowers later in the summer (June-August) providing late season interest.
- MiniBeckia ™
- This yellow/red bicolor flowering Rudbeckia is notable for its shorter stature, growing to 18″ making it a wonderful choice for containers.