Rudbeckia hirta

Common Names

Black-Eyed Susan, Brown-Eyed Susan, Gloriosa Daisy

Summary

Rudbeckia hirta, commonly called Black-eyed Susan (Gloriosa Daisy), is a native North American flowering plant in the Asteraceae family that can behave as an annual, biennial, or short‑lived perennial, typically growing about 1–3 ft tall and 1–2 ft wide with bright yellow ray florets surrounding a dark brown center disk; it blooms from June to September in full sun to partial shade on moist, well‑drained soils, and it self-seeds freely, often persisting in the garden.

It is widely cultivated for borders, wild gardens, meadows, and mass plantings, and makes a good cut flower; numerous cultivars exist, including Indian Summer and Cherry Brandy. Propagation occurs by seed (direct sow or indoor starting), division, or stem cuttings; the plant attracts pollinators such as bees and butterflies and can serve as a larval host for certain butterfly species; it tolerates drought, heat, and a wide range of soils, though deer tend to avoid it and it can spread aggressively in some settings.

Lifecycle

Annual, Biennial, Short-lived perennial

Height

12-36 inches

Spread

12-24 inches

Hardiness Zones

Zones 3-7

Sunlight Requirements

Full Sun to Partial Shade.

Soil Type

Moist, well-drained soil of clay, loam, or sandy texture, organically rich.

Soil Drainage

Well-drained soil

Soil pH

6.8-7.7, neutral to slightly alkaline soil, tolerates acidic, neutral, and alkaline soils

Bloom Color

Yellow

Bloom Time

Summer to Fall

Foliage Color

Green

Fall Foliage Color

Golden, Green

Leaf Lifecycle

Deciduous

Growth Rate

Fast

Seasons of Interest

Summer, Fall, and Winter

Propagation Methods

Seeds, Division, Cuttings

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts bees, butterflies, other pollinators, and birds