If you're looking for variations on a classic cottage garden vibe, look no further. Rudbeckia, commonly known as Black Eyed Susan, from the family Asteraceae is a perennial that is often treated like an annual. The genus is Rudbeckia and the species is hirta or tribola. These prolific flowers are fairly easy to grow and come in a variety of colors beyond the classic yellow and black center pairing. You can easily find them in hazy purple, dark cherry, and burnt orange palettes with long petals around their namesake center “face”. R. hirta are often treated as an annual, but do perennialize in mild zones. R. triloba is a true perennial in warmer zones and a biennial in the coldest zones. While Rudbeckia prefers full sun and long days, it will thrive in a range of temperatures 25 - 90 Degrees Fahrenheit, allowing for it to be successful across many zones.

Upon receipt of the Rudbeckia plugs, give them a few days to harden off and acclimate to the current outside temperatures and day length. In the Spring, plant right around the last frost date, and if you engage in Fall planting, get the plugs in the ground 1 month before the first frost so they establish strong roots over the winter. They like well drained soil in a sunny location where they can receive as much light as possible. Rudbeckia require long days to reach their full potential. This requirement of full sun over long periods of time also indicates they need a lot of water to thrive.

Plant Rudbeckia 9 - 12” apart as they will naturally fill in the empty space as they grow bloom after bloom. Pinching is not recommended, nor is netting. Rudbeckia are fairly straight forward in that they need lots of sun and ample amounts of water - weeding is always highly recommended as well. Rudbeckia are not prone to pests, what an agreeable choice for a garden!

Cut Rudbeckia when the flowers are in full bloom and the stems are straight and stiff. If cut too soon, their heads will fully flop. They like cold water and will keep in a vase or under refrigeration for up to 2 weeks.