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

Beautiful, easy-going plant smothered in long-lasting blooms. One of the plants in our garden has about 50 blossoms on it!

I started these from seed this spring. Germination was close to 100%. They spread quickly. With regular deadheading, these flowers have bloomed from early spring into October. They are carefree, pretty plants.

I use this as a self sowing annual. This year, they are along my driveway, where they have been blooming a long time non-stop. Goldfinches love them. One plant that tipped over and rooted itself along the stem is particularly good looking, (bushier) so I may try either pinching in spring, or tipping some, to make that happen in the future. True about the powdery mildew, but in full sun in a narrow bed against the house I'm not seeing it yet., or not noticing it because of the constant full bloom.

I didn't know what this plant was when it appeared in the flowerbed last year. It didn't grow much, wilted easily, and is a host for some kind of moth or butterfly catapillar that ate it like crazy. I almost pulled them up this spring, but they finally looked like they were growing, so I let them go. They have been blooming for at least 2 months now. They are 4 feet tall and 3 feet wide. They are so big I staked them and/or put tomato cages around them because they were spreading out so much. They are covered with 5-6" blooms that are yellow-orange, and some have a burgundy brown eye. The cone is brown. It's possibly the best plant I have this year!

Black-eyed Susan, Gloriosa Daisy, Yellow Ox-eye Daisy Rudbeckia hirta, is Native to Texas and other States.

American Indians used root tea to treat worms and colds. As an external wash, they used it to treat sores, snakebite, and swelling. Root juice was used to treat earaches.

I love the bright-sunny faces of Black-eyed Susans blooming all summer. They can withstand just about anything. My information says they are hardy in zones 3-10.

I really like this flower, I only wish I could tell what they will turn out like plant to plant. Some of mine have wonderful red centers around the comb and others are just yellow. This spring I noticed slight differences in the foliage on the varied flowers. It seems the 1's with the bright red flame centers have thicker foliage and the leaves are very "furry" compared to the others that are all yellow. The all yellows look exactly like brown eyed susans except for the black eyes. My flowers are only 3 inches across at the most. This plant sure varies quite a bit. My seeds all came from a single flower, the flower was all yellow with no hint of red at all. I wished I could get them all red.

This plant can be invasive, but it provides such great color mid to late summer that is easy to ignore this aspect of it's genetic makeup. I have them planted in two side borders, one in full Virginia sun, and one in part shade. They do well in both areas. I have them planted with a mix of tall showy perennials, like Shasta Daisy, and False Sunflowers. They are every where in Northern Virginia and are used in Commercial landscapes. You need to keep on top of them or they will take over, especially in full sun.

San Antonio, Tx.
The perennial rudbeckia in my photo was very sturdy stalks a large attractive leaves. The flowers were 5 to 6 inches across. I use the past tense because a dog that was running loose in my neighborhood urinated on it several times and killed it. I have not been able to find another one at the local nurseries and will buy some seeds to replant some next spring if I can find them. I really liked its short stature, huge flowers that lasted a long, long time with great striations of color and its drought tolerance. Unfortunately, I do not know its cultivar.

The small, hairy leaves of this species are not nearly as attractive as r. fulgida, but it begins bloom earlier, has a more lemony color, and has long stems exellent for cutting. Its more slender stature helps it blend well in mixed beds. Mine looks great in with purple coneflower, liatris, and daisies.

Susciptible to downy mildew, rust, powdery mildew, aphid and sawfly.

This species of Rudbeckia are biennial or short lived perennials. Some are treated as annuals. Some common names are 'Toto', 'Becky mixed' and 'Irish Eyes'. The flowers are yellow with cones that are brown or purplish. They grow 1' to 3' high with a spread of about 1'. All best cultivated in full sun or part shade. Hardy zones 3-10.