Rudbeckia hirta most commonly called Black-Eyed Susan is a wild coneflower flower indigenous to the US and introduced to Europe around 1714. The flower was named for Olaus Rudbeck (1630-1702) a Swedish botanist and writer of a book dedicated to proving Sweden was the site of the mythical land of Atlantis. The hirta part of the name is Latin for hairy. Rudbeckia is a native to North America but gets its common name from a British poem written in the Elizabethan era.
Other Interesting or Semi-Interesting Things About This Plant
Black-Eyed Susan is considered a pioneer plant meaning it’s one of the first plants to colonize land after its habitat has been damaged by fire, flood, etc.
Black-Eyed Susan is said to have gotten its name from British colonists who named it after the John Gay (1685-1732) poem which referred to the flower Sweet William.
It was voted the Maryland state flower in 1918.
Specifications & Growing Information
- Latin: Rudbeckia hirta
- Perennial/biennial in most zones
- Full sun (tolerates part shade but hinders growth)
- Stratification: No but a cold snap sometimes increases germination
- Height up to 2.5ft.
- Germination in 10-30 days at 70F
Direct sow outdoors in Fall/Winter/Spring in most zones. Sow in weed-free soil 4-10 weeks before your area’s last frost or refrigerate for at least 4-10 weeks. Cover seeds with around ⅛ inch of soil. If planting in Spring store in the fridge for 2-4 weeks to increase germination. Remember, these are biennials and need a full year to grow before they will bloom.
- Deadheading spent blooms is optional but encourages more blooms.
- Can be started indoors.
- This flower is toxic to cats.
Images: © 98201 Seed All rights reserved