What’s Coming Up In The Garden, 56: Black-eyed Susans

I didn’t make it out to get a photo until the sun was up and full on the beds, so the photo is not great, but here they are, adding a new color and texture to the garden this week and on into fall.

It’s been very hot the past several days and was starting to dry out again. These well-established beds can take dry weather without being watered, but the newer plants I’ve put in this summer need some extra care during dry spells. I woke up this morning thinking I would be heading out to do that but thankfully it had rained in the early morning and so everything on the farm got a nice drink.

We may also get some thunderstorms this afternoon, but given our location near the lake these sometimes split and go around around us on either side - I never count on the forecast when it comes to watering the garden babies!

More info:

Rudbeckia fulgida 

Common Name(s):

 

• Black-eyed Susan
• Orange Coneflower

Phonetic Spelling

rud-BEK-ee-a FUL-gih-duh

Description

Black-eyed Susan is an erect herbaceous perennial that may grow 2 to 3 feet tall. The many yellow daisy-like flowers with a brownish-purple center first mature in early summer and continue into the fall. A rosette of leaves that originate at the base of the stem persists through the winter, creating an attractive winter ground cover. Leave the seed heads on for the birds. Remove floral stalks after booms spent for lush rosette of green leaves. 

Blackeyed Susans are easy to grow, thriving in any but soggy soils. It does best in full sun but tolerates partial shade. It also bears up under hot, humid summers and, once established, will tolerate drought. The plant spreads by underground stems called rhizomes to form large clumps. Propagation can be done by division in the spring or fall, or it can be propagated by seed. It is utilized for perennial beds, backgrounds, in pollinator gardens, in naturalized areas, and borders. Staking may be required for large heads.