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Black-eyed susansBlack-eyed Susan

Scientific name:  Rudbeckia hirta L.  

Short Description:   Black-eyed Susan is an annual or short lived perennial herb that can be found in most all of the states in the U.S.  

Description:   Black-eyed Susan is an annual or short lived perennial herb that can be found in most all of the states in the U.S. Black-eyed Susan is probably the most widely found wildflower and most recognizable wildflower with the bright yellow petals and dark brown spherical disks. Black-eyed Susan has proven to be a drought tolerant, winter hardy species that is resistant to virtually all insects and diseases. Once established and the plants are allowed to continually reseed from the preceding crop; the stand may perpetuate itself indefinitely. Best growth is on sandy, well drained sites but the species can be found growing on a wide range of soil types and conditions.   

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 Taxonomy of Blackeyed Susan  

 Kingdom  Plantae
 Subkingdom   Tracheobionta
 Superdivision   Spermatophyta
 Division  Magnoliophyta
 Class  Magnoliopsida
 Subclass  Asteridae
 Order    Asterales
 Family  Asteraceae
 Genus   Rudbeckia  
 Species   Rudbeckia hirta L.

Plant Characteristics of Blackeyed Susan   

 Height  18 to 36 inches
 Growth habit  erect stems with scattered oval leaves
 Bloom color  golden yellow daisy like ray flowers with disk flowers forming a brown central cone
 Bloom period  Mid to late summer
 Sun requirement  full sun to partial shade
 Leaf foilage color  green with hairs giving it a rough texture
 Seeds per pound  1,500,000
 Minimum soil temperature for germination  70  ºF
 Soil pH range  6.0 to 7.0
 Planting Rate  0.75 oz/1000 sq ft or 2 lbs/acre
 Planting Depth  1/16 inch
 Planting season  Fall

Uses of Blackeyed Susan

Landscape:  attractive in mass plantings as well as in species mixes

Wildlife: insect attractant and cover for game birds

Erosion control: when combined with grasses, forbs, and legumes