Rudbeckia, Black-Eyed Susan, Gloriosa Daisy 'Irish Eyes'
Rudbeckia hirta
Family: | Asteraceae (ass-ter-AY-see-ee) (Info) |
Genus: | Rudbeckia (rud-BEK-ee-a) (Info) |
Species: | hirta (HER-tuh) (Info) |
Cultivar: | Irish Eyes |
Additional cultivar information: | (aka Green Eyes) |

Category:
Annuals
Biennials
Perennials
Water Requirements:
Drought-tolerant; suitable for xeriscaping
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater
Sun Exposure:
Full Sun
Sun to Partial Shade
Foliage:
Herbaceous
Foliage Color:
Height:
24-36 in. (60-90 cm)
Spacing:
12-15 in. (30-38 cm)
15-18 in. (38-45 cm)
Hardiness:
USDA Zone 5a: to -28.8 °C (-20 °F)
USDA Zone 5b: to -26.1 °C (-15 °F)
USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3 °C (-10 °F)
USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 °C (-5 °F)
USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 °C (0 °F)
USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 °C (5 °F)
USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F)
USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)
USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F)
USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)
Where to Grow:
Grow outdoors year-round in hardiness zone
Can be grown as an annual
Danger:
N/A
Bloom Color:
Gold (yellow-orange)
Bright Yellow
Bloom Characteristics:
Flowers are good for cutting
This plant is attractive to bees, butterflies and/or birds
Flowers are fragrant
Bloom Size:
Bloom Time:
Late Spring/Early Summer
Mid Summer
Late Summer/Early Fall
Mid Fall
Blooms repeatedly
Other details:
Soil pH requirements:
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline)
Patent Information:
Propagation Methods:
From seed; sow indoors before last frost
Seed Collecting:
Collect seedhead/pod when flowers fade; allow to dry
Regional
This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:
Auburn, Alabama
Vincent, Alabama
Boulder Creek, California(2 reports)
Calistoga, California
Clayton, California
Fairfield, California
Glen Avon, California
Knights Landing, California
Paradise, California
Pedley, California
Petaluma, California
Rubidoux, California
San Leandro, California
Sunnyslope, California
Winter Springs, Florida
Augusta, Georgia
Woodstock, Georgia
Carol Stream, Illinois
Machesney Park, Illinois
Louisville, Kentucky
Haydenville, Massachusetts
Quincy, Massachusetts
Dearborn Heights, Michigan
Manchester, New Hampshire
Ithaca, New York
Fuquay Varina, North Carolina
Canton, Ohio
Cincinnati, Ohio(2 reports)
Geneva, Ohio
Salem, Oregon
White City, Oregon
Mercer, Pennsylvania
Osceola Mills, Pennsylvania
Columbia, South Carolina
North Augusta, South Carolina
Lebanon, Tennessee
Desoto, Texas
Webster, Texas
Ogden, Utah
Smithfield, Virginia
Kalama, Washington
show allGardeners' Notes:
Rating | Content |
---|---|
Neutral | On Jan 26, 2011, sunkissed from Winter Springs, FL (Zone 9b) wrote: I've only had luck with these as an annual in Central FL. They also had to be in filtered sunlight. But I sure enjoy their beauty mixed in my flower pots. |
Positive | On Mar 11, 2010, Rupeee from Riverside, CA (Zone 9b) wrote: LOVE THIS PLANT. Blooms year around for me with deadheading. Flowers are large on tall stems. Multiplies nicely. Little care. Loves our dry hot summers. |
Positive | On Oct 15, 2007, kqcrna from Cincinnati, OH (Zone 6a) wrote: This plant wintersowed very well for me. Blossoms have been as large as 5 inches in diameter. I think the green eye makes it particularly pretty and unique in the sunny garden. |
Positive | On Sep 3, 2005, flowercrazy39 from Manchester, NH wrote: So far I like this plant a lot. Hasn't rained hardly at all here in southern New Hampshire so some of my flowers have had a hard time to bloom. But it's growing and I've seen at least two blooms so far and they last a really long time. |
Positive | On Oct 14, 2004, lmelling from Ithaca, NY (Zone 5b) wrote: I purchased seeds for this plant in 2001, where they listed it as an annual, but the Irish eyes have been coming back each year to delight me. They reseed prodigiously and I find that I end up pulling up or moving many seedlings during the summer, which have strayed into the other plants surrounding them. I suggest that you give these plants plenty of room or plant them as part of a cottage style garden. They will probably need staking midway through the summer as they can grow up to 4' tall! |