🌻 Growing Rudbeckia hirta – The Native Black-Eyed Susan

Rudbeckia hirta, commonly known as the Black-eyed Susan, is a cheerful, daisy-like wildflower native to most of North America. It lights up meadows and gardens with its golden-yellow petals surrounding a characteristic dark brown or purplish central cone. Beloved by pollinators and resilient in a range of growing conditions, Black-eyed Susan thrives with minimal care and contributes both visual beauty and ecological value.

In USDA Hardiness Zone 7, which includes the Atlanta metro area, Rudbeckia hirta performs exceptionally well as a perennial. With its drought tolerance, native adaptability, and vibrant blooms from spring through fall, it's a perfect addition to native gardens, pollinator beds, cottage borders, or naturalized areas.

🌱 Botanical Overview

• Botanical name: Rudbeckia hirta

• Common name: Black-eyed Susan

• Plant type: Herbaceous wildflower (often grown as a short-lived perennial in Zone 7)

• Family: Asteraceae (Sunflower family)

• Native range: Eastern and Central North America

• Bloom time: June–September

• Height: 18 to 36 inches

• Spread: 12 to 24 inches

• Pollinators: Bees, butterflies, hoverflies

• Attracts: Native pollinators, birds (seed heads in fall)

• Toxicity: Non-toxic to humans; may be mildly toxic to pets if consumed in large quantities

🌿 Growing Black-Eyed Susan in Zone 7 (Atlanta Area)

🔆 Light Requirements

Black-eyed Susan thrives in full sun (6–8 hours of direct sunlight daily). It can tolerate light shade, especially in the afternoons during peak summer heat, but may produce fewer flowers in low-light conditions.

🧱 Soil

Rudbeckia tolerates a range of soil types, including clay, loam, and sandy soils. In the Atlanta area, where red clay soils dominate, amend with compost or pine bark fines to improve drainage. Ideal soil pH is 6.0 to 7.0.

💧 Watering

Once established, Rudbeckia is moderately drought-tolerant. Water deeply but infrequently. In the Atlanta area:

• During first-year establishment, water 2x per week unless rainfall exceeds 1 inch.

• After establishment, water only during extended drought (every 10–14 days).

🧤 Planting Instructions

When to Plant:

• Spring or early fall are best planting times in Zone 7. Fall plantings allow root establishment before summer heat.

Spacing:

• Space plants 12–18 inches apart to allow good air circulation and reduce fungal pressure.

Planting Depth:

• Transplants should be planted at the same soil depth as in their nursery pots. For direct seeding, sow ¼ inch deep and lightly cover with soil.

Mulching:

• Use 2–3 inches of mulch (pine straw, hardwood chips, or shredded bark) around the base to retain moisture and suppress weeds.

🦋 Companion Planting & Design

Black-eyed Susan is a fantastic companion in native and pollinator gardens. Its upright form, bright color, and long bloom time make it an excellent backdrop or mid-border plant.

Excellent Companion Plants:

• Echinacea purpurea (Purple Coneflower) – Similar soil and sun needs; contrasting flower form and height.

• Monarda didyma (Bee Balm) – Attracts pollinators and offers mildew-resistant cultivars.

• Coreopsis spp. (Tickseed) – Early bloomers that overlap well with Rudbeckia.

• Asclepias tuberosa (Butterfly Weed) – A drought-tolerant native for dry, sunny beds.

• Salvia nemorosa – A hummingbird magnet that flowers simultaneously.

• Grasses: Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) or Prairie Dropseed add structure and wildlife value.

Avoid planting in areas with poor airflow or overcrowding — this increases fungal problems.

🐛 Common Insects and Organic Spraying

While Rudbeckia is relatively pest-resistant, a few issues can arise:

🐞 Aphids

• These small insects cluster on stems and buds.

• Organic Treatment: Neem oil, pyrethrin, or insecticidal soap

Dosage:

• Neem oil: 2 tablespoons per gallon of water + a few drops of mild soap (for emulsifying). Spray in the evening once every 7 days until under control, but do not spray Neem if air temperatures are warmer than 85F degrees.

• Insecticidal soap: Follow label instructions (usually 2.5 oz per gallon). Spray in the early morning or late afternoon.

• Pyrethrin – A fast-acting organic compound derived from chrysanthemum flowers, effective on a wide range of garden pests including aphids, flea beetles, and thrips.

  • Dosage: Use a ready-to-spray formula or dilute 1 tablespoon per gallon of water if using a concentrate (follow specific label directions).

  • Application: Spray late in the day to avoid harming pollinators. Do not apply more than once every 4–5 days.

🐛 Japanese Beetles

• May chew leaves and flowers in early summer.

• Control: Hand-pick early in the morning and drop into soapy water. For larger infestations, apply Spinosad-based spray.

Dosage:

• Spinosad (e.g., Monterey Garden Insect Spray): 2 oz per gallon. Spray weekly as needed.

🍄 Fungal Diseases

The most common issues in the Atlanta area’s humid summers are:

🍃 Powdery Mildew

• White-gray powder on leaves

• Encourage airflow, avoid overhead watering

Organic Spray:

• Potassium bicarbonate (e.g., GreenCure): 1 tbsp per gallon

• Liquid Copper Sulfate: 4 tsp. per gallon water sprayed on the entire plant every 7-10 days.

🧫 Leaf Spot (Cercospora or Septoria)

• Causes yellowing and black spots, usually mid-summer

Control:

• Remove affected leaves; rotate plantings

• Spray with copper fungicide (organic approved)

Dosage:

• Liquid Copper Sulfate: 4 tsp. per gallon water sprayed on the entire plant every 7-10 days.

✂️ Best Practices for Maintenance

• Deadheading: Regular removal of spent blooms extends flowering and improves plant shape.

• Division: Every 3 years in early spring or fall, divide clumps to prevent overcrowding and rejuvenate growth.

• Fall Care: In native-style gardens, leave seed heads for goldfinches. Otherwise, cut back dead stems in winter.

🧪 Sustainability & Wildlife Value

Rudbeckia hirta provides critical nectar and pollen during the summer dearth (June–August). Its seed heads in fall feed finches and other songbirds. The plant supports various native pollinators, including:

• Bumblebees

• Long-tongued bees

• Skippers and butterflies

It is also deer-resistant, though not completely deer-proof.

🌼 Why Choose Rudbeckia for Your Garden?

In Zone 7, where summers are hot and rainfall can be sporadic, Black-eyed Susan is an outstanding performer. Its ability to thrive in tough soils, provide habitat for beneficial insects, and offer long-lasting blooms makes it a garden essential. Whether you’re planting a formal bed, a prairie patch, or a pollinator garden, Rudbeckia hirta brings beauty, resilience, and ecological value to your landscape.

🌻 Chestatee Farms is proud to offer native Rudbeckia hirta (Black-eyed Susan) in 1-gallon containers for just $9.00 each. These robust, pollinator-friendly plants are locally grown, ideal for Zone 7 gardens, and ready to thrive in your landscape. Limited availability—reserve yours for fall planting today!