These out-of-this-world cultivars are great updates to a classic summer-blooming perennial
Gardeners across the humankind do it the North American – native black - eyed Susan ( Rudbeckiahirta , Zones 3–8 ) , also calledgloriosa daisy . This unbent species is especially useful in bungalow garden , meadow landscapes , orpollinator garden . Its native dispersion is Brobdingnagian , stretching from North Florida into Canada . It ’s often found in open landscapes with full sun . A high - summertime foul-up in the southeastern United States , black - eyed Susan is tough anddrought resistant . It can even find a way of life to survive in the fissure of a sidewalk . However , in our area , inglorious - eyed Susans are unpredictably short - lived and for most of us should be treated like anannual . But even with their suddenly - lived nature , they are still a joy to have in the garden .
Black-eyed Susan reseeds to create new hybrids
Plant stock breeder have been busy with this plant over the last 20 years , and many cultivars are exceedingly valuable to gardeners . For home gardeners , one of the best attributes of this plant is its ability to reseed in the garden . It ’s not the kind of reseeder that takes over ; it seems to produce just the right number of seedlings . Planting several cultivars results in a vast array of differently colored hybrids . Various average seedlings will display a variety of colors and form unlike from their parents . And many cultivars and hybrids have the power to flower from come their first class .
Favorite black-eyed Susan cultivars
Below are several commonly available cultivar . I always advocate for implant several dissimilar selections together . With just an ounce of luck , you ’ll be enjoying these plant for days to come .
‘Prairie Sun’ black-eyed Susan
Rudbeckia hirta‘Prairie Sun ’ , Zones 3–8
‘ Prairie Sun ’ , which was a 2003 All - America Selections winner and Fleuroselect Gold Medal succeeder , was cover by international semen company Benary . This plant has light-green primal optic and is exceedingly glossy .
‘Cherokee Sunset’ black-eyed Susan
Rudbeckia hirta‘Cherokee Sunset ’ , zone 3–8
An early hybrid cultivar of this plant that was developed after 10 years of enquiry by Thompson & Morgan , ‘ Cherokee Sunset ’ has a mahogany - and - bronze colouration . Individual flowers age to semi- or fully bivalent inflorescence . This cultivar received award from All - America Selections .
‘Cherry Brandy’ black-eyed Susan
Rudbeckia hirta‘Cherry Brandy ’ , Zones 3–8
‘ Cherry Brandy ’ land novel semblance to this chemical group of plant . Red flower petal combine with grim reddish brown centre of attention make it a departure from more traditional color combinations . This plant has sturdy stems and makes a wonderful cut peak . While it ’s perhaps not as vigorous as other cultivars , its unique color make it stand out .
‘Goldilocks’ black-eyed Susan
Rudbeckia hirta‘Goldilocks ’ , zona 3–8
‘ Goldilocks ’ is a very interesting double - blossom diversity . The original selection of this plant life was bred in 1972 by Ralph Gould , a longtime plant stock breeder . single works produce masse shot of double and semi - two-fold peak in racy tad of golden yellow .
‘Indian Summer’ black-eyed Susan
Rudbeckia hirta‘Indian Summer ’ , Zones 3–8
‘ Indian Summer ’ has extralarge blossom and is one of the most reliable of cultivar for the Southeast . warm stem make it a bully cut peak . An internal ring of Au encircles each heyday ’s “ black eye . ”
‘Rustic Colors’ black-eyed Susan
Rudbeckia hirta‘Rustic color ’ , geographical zone 3–8
‘ Rustic Colors ’ is a germ strain that produces a variety of dissimilar plants displaying a mix of yellow , oranges , and John Brown . plant carry on to reseed with the same assortment of colors year after yr .
Plant black-eyed Susans next to colorful annuals to provide interest after flowers fade
In the Southeast , underplanting black - eyed Susan with other plants is important . plant life are not specially near looking after bloom fade . A low - maturate , ground - natural covering - type petunia or an next sweet-scented potato vine ( Ipomoeabatatascvs . , Zones 9–11 ) with burgundy foliage would be nice to cover space late in the season . Keep seed head up in the garden , or collect seeds and scatter them about in declivity . This will keep plants returning year after year . Overall , opprobrious - eyed Susan is one of the easiest plants you may arise in your full - Sunday garden .
For more high summertime - blooming plant life , check out :
And for more Southeast regional reports , come home here .
— Andy Pulte is a staff member in the plant sciences department at the University of Tennessee .
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Black-eyed Susans come in a wide range of bright, vibrant colors and look best when multiple varieties are planted together. Pictured: ‘Cherokee Sunset’ (left), ‘Prairie Sun’ (center), and ‘Cherry Brandy’ (right).Photos: Andy Pulte
The wild native species of black-eyed Susan has smaller flowers and a more open habit than many cultivars. However, it works wonderfully in a naturalized setting.Photo: Andy Pulte
When multiple varieties of black-eyed Susan are planted together, they can create interesting new offspring, such as the hybrid pictured above.Photo: Andy Pulte
‘Prairie Sun’ has creamy-looking petals and green instead of black centers.Photo: Andy Pulte
‘Cherokee Sunset’ has fully double flowers with a ruffled appearance and dark mahogany centers.Photo: Andy Pulte
‘Cherry Brandy’ is unique for its purple-red coloring and would add excellent contrast to a yellow-petaled cultivar.Photo: Andy Pulte
‘Goldilocks’ has that classic black-eyed Susan look but with double and semi-double flowers.Photo: Andy Pulte
‘Indian Summer’ has large flowers that are more orange toward the centers and yellow toward the petal tips.Photo: courtesy of Jason Reeves
‘Rustic Colors’ produces a mix of differently colored flowers that may come in deep shades of orange and brown.Photo: Andy Pulte
