Rudbeckia hirta, or Black-Eyed Susan, is a versatile native North American wildflower from the Aster family that can grow as an annual, biennial, or short-lived perennial, depending on its environment. Reaching up to 3 feet in height, it forms attractive clumps in full sun and well-drained soils, demonstrating strong drought tolerance. Blooming from March to November, Black-Eyed Susans add vibrant color to gardens, meadows, and roadside plantings across a wide range, from Massachusetts to New Mexico. Ecologically, it attracts bees, butterflies, and seed-eating birds, serving as a larval host for butterflies like the Gorgone Checkerspot and Bordered Patch. Additionally, it has historical medicinal significance, as Indigenous peoples used it to treat ailments such as colds and snakebites.
Scientific Name: Rudbeckia hirta
Origin: North America
Height: 1 to 3 feet
Spread: 1 to 3 feet
Light: Full Sun
Water: Medium; tolerates drought once established
Hardiness: Zones 3-9
Bloom: March to November
