PlantFiles: Black-eyed Susan, Gloriosa Daisy, Yellow Ox-eye Daisy
Rudbeckia hirta 'Prairie Sun'

'Prairie Sun' is a short-lived perennial for us here on the south shore of Lake Superior. What a performer! Once it starts blooming, there's no stopping it until hard frost. It self-sows reliably but not weedily. The color combination goes well with many other flowers, unlike the rather harsh highway-line-yellow so common in this genus. Great cut flower, too. This one is a real winner here; highly recommended.

I don't depend on the plant to return the next year in my zone but make sure to sprinkle the seeds around. It acts more like a bi-annual, blooming the second year, giving seed but rarely returning. Absolutely gorgeous in a mass!

Did not come back in zone 5a this year -2010. Planted it last summer. I bought this at a very reputable nursery here North Eastern Ohio, as a large potted plant. Planted it in full sun, clay soil. It declined in late summer and never came back this year. All the other plants in that garden returned, but this one. We had very heavy snowstorms and low temps this last winter. The Indian Summer Rudbeckia didn't come back either.

I have had this flower come back for 2 years now. I love how long the flowers lasts...summer through fall!

This plant wintersowed very well for me.

It is actually a different type rudbeckia than "Irish Eyes". I wintersowed both, and both are very pretty. Both have a green eye. Irish Eyes grew larger blossoms, but had fewer petals per blossom. There is also a much less defined color change as petals run from eye to the outer edge of the flower.

A Gold Medal winner. Orange petals wash to yellow at the tips around green centers. Tall and robust and great for cutting.

This plant wintersowed nicely

This is one of my favorite Rudbeckias; it's well behaved, and although I've seen conflicting information in regards to it's hardiness, I've had mine for 3 years now, and hasn't reseeded. I do keep it deadheaded.

I bought this plant as Irish Eyes. I have seen it sold as Prairie Sun also. Reseeds well.

Planted seed this year which yielded a beautiful plant with many flowers

A departure from the traditional 'black-eyed susan' because it sports a green/yellow eye and so provides summer perennial 'gaity' with less contrast than the traditional version.

I would classify it as a tender perennial. Sometimes it returns, other times it does not. The tag says that in our area it should be grown as an annual.

Prairie Sun garners lots of compliments in our sunny border, and I like it, too, for it's easy maintenance.

A half-hardy annual, this variety has an unusual green center and bright orange-to-yellow petals.