Black-Eyed Susan: Beautiful and Beneficial

Black-eyed Susan is the fitting name given to a flower with bright yellow petals and a dark center eye. What are black-eyed Susans, and what role do they play in the garden? First of all, look beyond the common name. The name black-eyed Susan is commonly used for two very different plants. The name is given to Thunbergia alata, a vining heat-loving plant that is native to the tropical areas of East Africa. Often grown in containers, Thunbergia alata is a late summer-blooming annual here in Pennsylvania. More commonly, the flowers of Rudbeckia fulgida and Rudbeckia hirta are also known as black-eyed Susans. These two species are North American native plants that have been cultivated for home gardens. Read on to discover the benefits and how-tos of growing black-eyed Susans from the genus Rudbeckia.

Benefits of Black-eyed Susans

Since they are derived from North American native wildflowers, cultivated varieties of Rudbeckia bring a wealth of ecological benefits to the garden. The halo of yellow petals provides a target and landing pad for many pollinators. A close examination of the center "eye" reveals that it is actually hundreds of individual small flowers, each holding nectar sipped by bees, small wasps, flies, butterflies, and moths. Additionally, 18 species use Rudbeckia as a host plant in Pennsylvania. Several species of birds will feast on the mature nutritious seeds of the flower heads if left intact at the end of the growing season. Save clean-up until spring.

In addition, black-eyed Susans provide a bright spot in your garden from mid to late summer. They make excellent cut flowers. Cutting them for bouquets, along with deadheading, will encourage more blossoms.

Growing Requirements

Most of the Rudbeckia varieties available in Pennsylvania are perennials. They also self-seed, so choose a spot in the garden where you will enjoy this plant long-term. They grow best in full sun but can tolerate partial shade. They prefer average, well-drained soils but can adapt to clay, alkaline or acid pH, and gravelly soils. Once established, they are heat and drought-tolerant, blooming from July into October. Research indicates that planting a number of Rudbeckia together in a drift will attract more pollinating insects.

Plants or Seeds?

Even though Rudbeckia plants will self-seed once established, a gardener should not expect the best results from sowing purchased seeds directly into the ground. Like many native plants, Rudbeckia seeds germinate best if they experience a period of cold that mimics winter (stratification). This can be achieved by refrigerating the seeds before sowing indoors under lights—about ten weeks before the danger of frost is past. Another way to achieve this is by sowing the seeds in a container outdoors in the fall. See Penn State Extension Starting Seeds in Winter for more information on this technique.

Purchasing Rudbeckia transplants is probably the better option. Most greenhouses and plant nurseries in Pennsylvania will carry black-eyed Susan plants (ensure the plant is labeled Rudbeckia). Cultivars are often available at spring plant sales. Rudbeckia can be planted in the garden in late spring or fall, about six weeks before the first frost.

Common Problems

Having originated as North American wildflowers that thrive in disturbed landscape areas, Rudbeckia have few serious problems. Their coarse, hairy foliage provides some deer resistance. However, I have found newly planted Rudbeckia irresistible to rabbits. For this reason, protect young plants until they are well-established in the garden.

Rudbeckia can suffer from powdery mildew. Plants can also be infected by the fungal disease Septoria leaf spot. Thinning plants and avoiding overhead watering may help alleviate the unsightly symptoms of these diseases. See more information in the discussion of cultivars below.

Many Varieties to Choose From

The characteristics of several cultivars of black-eyed Susan Rudbeckia are described below. Those who are particularly interested in the plant’s ability to attract and sustain pollinators may wish to read a recent study of ornamental plant cultivars by Penn State researchers Emily Erickson, Harland Patch, and Christina Grozinger. In short, the Rudbeckia cultivars included in the study were found to attract many pollinators, including a wide variety of bee species.

Rudbeckia 'American Gold Rush'


Chosen as the Perennial Plant Association's Plant of the Year for 2023, 'American Gold Rush' is blanketed by yellow-gold 3-inch flowers with arching petals surrounding cone-shaped black-brown centers. It has a naturally dome-like, compact form that does not require pinching to shape. It grows 22 to 27 inches tall and 40 inches wide. Its 2-inch-wide leaves are thinner than many other cultivars. Both its leaves and stems are covered in fine hairs giving the foliage a silvery cast. Most notable is the ability of the 'American Gold Rush' to resist Septoria leaf spot.

Rudbeckia 'Goldsturm'

Chosen as the Perennial Plant Association's choice for Plant of the Year in 1999, 'Goldstrum' has become popular for its compact, mounded habit and profuse, classic black-eyed Susan blooms—bright yellow rays with a dark brown center. 'Goldstrum' grows to a height of 24 to 36 inches. Unfortunately, 'Goldsturm' is particularly prone to angular leaf spot, a bacterial disease that, combined with Septoria leaf spot, may leave the foliage looking very unsightly by the end of the growing season.

Rudbeckia fulgida 'Forever Gold'


This black eyed-Susan features starry yellow flowers on compact plants, about 18 to 24 inches tall.

Rudbeckia hirta 'Autumn Colors' and 'Cherry Brandy'

These two versions of black-eyed Susan are technically biennials. They are treated as annuals and replanted yearly, though they may also reseed. Challenging the traditional black-eyed Susan color combination, the petals of 'Autumn Colors' range from gold to orange to brown, while 'Cherry Brandy' has petals with a color gradation from red to maroon. Topping out at 1.5 to 2 feet tall, these cultivars would be appropriate for containers.

Rudbeckia laciniata 'Herbsonne'

Also called 'Autumn Sun,' this cultivar may most resemble its wild, black-eyed Susan ancestors. It is sometimes called cut-leaf coneflower. Its yellow petals bend downward from its greenish eye, which darkens with time. This cultivar is known to be very attractive to monarch butterflies. Plan to place 'Herbsonne' in the back of a border since it can reach 6 to 7 feet.

These are some of the cultivars of the beloved Rudbeckia genus commonly known as black-eyed Susan. Keep your eyes open at nurseries and plant sales. Browse catalogs for even more selections. Consider adding this plant to your garden—both you and our important pollinators will likely feel that you have struck gold!