Plant Exchange Blog

Black-eyed Susans grow in lots of yards in this USDA zone 4-5a region. The perennial, full-sun, yellow flower mounds appear by summer and bloom into fall. Their bold color and easy maintenance make them attractive for borders. 

Black-eyed Susans and other Rudbeckias are featured this week as attractive, hardy North American native plants with large flowers well suited to various soils with moderate moisture. Rudbeckia varieties come in orange, red, and yellow flowers, and many are suitable as cut flowers. Pollinators visit these native plants. Prairie gardens often feature Rudbeckia borders with stiff upright stems with flowers on top.  

The clumping nature of Rudbeckia “Prairie Sun” and its accommodating growth make it an easy companion plant in a flowerbed. But what matters most about a new perennial for the yard is how well it fits with one’s local conditions. We must grow some species and varieties of Rudbeckia to find attributes we prefer, like any plants. 

This gardener looks for plants to grow from seeds as a practical challenge. Last season the Rudbeckia “Indian Summer” thrived as a first-year perennial.

But the perennial needs winter hardiness in very dry, cold conditions here. A joy of gardening is seeing a favorite plant break dormancy and begin to grow again, as the Rudbeckia “Indian Summer” this spring.

Anticipating that other Rudbeckias might also grow well from seed to transplant into flowerbeds, these Rudbeckia “Indian Summer” appear robust so far. They will have orange flowers with rust accents and brown centers if all goes well. 

Do you have a promising perennial flower you are trying to grow and establish in your yard?

Your comments are welcome.