Rudbeckia Species, Brown-eyed Susan, Thinleaf Coneflower, Three-lobed Rudbeckia

On Aug 31, 2011, mrsrudy from Wappingers Falls, NY wrote:

I grew this plant from seed by sowing seed directly in the ground last August. It germinated quickly, and grew a few inches tall before winter. I had no idea if the little plants would survive the winter, but sure enough, they were back in the spring after the snows melted. And now it is the following August, one year after planting the seeds, and it is 6 feet tall and covered with yellow flowers. It is a real standout in the garden. It has been blooming for about 6 weeks now. Cut flowers are so pretty. Hope it returns next spring.

On May 7, 2009, wendymadre from Petersburg, VA wrote:

I was given a Brown-eyed Susan eleven years ago, and this would seem to be the same type, except that mine can range in height from three to over five feet tall. It reseeds freely, but the volunteers are attractive and can be given away. It is striking in the garden, covered with blossoms. It's tough and healthy.

On Aug 6, 2007, bordersandjacks from Seabrook, SC (Zone 8b) wrote:

I bought one of this plant and it spread slowly and controlled in an area of my yard that gets about 5 hours of sun. I dead headed it in another part of my yard that has an eastern exposure and gets bright sun until about 2pm. Yikes! It's borderline invasive. But, since I had lots of space to fill and it's so pretty, that's a plus for me. And now in July when other things are looking sad and pitiful it is bright, cheery and in full bloom. Fortunately, it's easy to control, and I give away lots of little plants to friends. We had a mild winter, so I've had this plant in bloom for over a year.

On Nov 18, 2006, Malus2006 from Coon Rapids, MN (Zone 4a) wrote:

This is a interesting plant rarely seen in the plant trade compare to Black Eye Susan and most likely found in wildflower specific greenhouses. I got some little plants last year and they bloomed the following year in late Summer, about August/September. One thing to note: Height tend to vary dramatically depending on conditions. I put one plant in Full sun to light shade (Depends - I don't have sun for any more than maybe 4 -5 hours but afternoon and strong enough to burn hosta foliages) and it grew nearly 5 feet tall with a cloud of flowers while another plant in more shade grew to about 1 to 1 1/2 feet in height with far fewer flowers. This species tolerate more shade than the commonly grown Black Eye Susan - May 2008 - I have seen seedlings grow in woodland shade.

Actu... read moreally it is not a annual - it's a biennial - it send up a rosette of leaves the first year then the next year it blooms and set lots of seeds then die - that's why it have such a high germination rate.

On Aug 9, 2003, Ladyfern from Jeffersonville, IN (Zone 6a) wrote:

Mine grew 5' tall and very bushy and full. The flowers just cover the plant, and I like their shape better than R. fulgida. It starts to bloom later that R. fulgida.

On Sep 2, 2001, talinum from Kearney, NE (Zone 5a) wrote:

A United States native which flowers over a longer period of time than 'Goldstrum' The basil leaves are 3-lobed. The flowers are smaller than other rudbeckias but very prolific.
Not often seen in catalogs.
Selfseeds.