EASY. BREEZY Black-Eyed Susans

Planting rudbeckia, with petals aglow in honeyed yellow, fiery orange and velvety burgundy, is like sprinkling sunshine throughout the garden.

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Also known as black-eyed Susans, these beloved North American natives bloom freely across the U.S. and Canada, swaying in the breeze as timeless symbols of summer's warmth and joy. Their cheerful blooms shine from midsummer to its final golden hour. Easy to grow and impossible to ignore, rudbeckia is love at first bloom.

Happy in the Home Garden

Gardeners have countless ways to revel in the beauty of rudbeckia—from brightening beds and patio containers to naturalizing larger landscapes. And with cut blooms that last a week or more, you can count on it for instant sun-drenched bouquets that can be enjoyed indoors.

When choosing companion plants for rudbeckia, aim to harmonize bloom periods while balancing color and structure to create a garden that feels vibrant and cohesive. Andrew Bunting, vice president of horticulture at the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society. It can also be planted in front of native shrubs like bush honeysuckle (Diervilla spp.) and summersweet (Clethra alnifolia),” Andrew says.