Black-Eyed Susans: Planning Ahead

Who wants to think about late summer and early fall when July hasn’t even begun? Likely, no one. But a little advance planning is always a good idea. Planning to add Rudbeckia fulgida, or Black-Eyed Susans, to the garden, is in fact a great idea.

Black-Eyed Susans seem to be part of the mix in the yards of the most experienced gardeners. If you frequent garden club plant sales and swaps, you’ll know that these perennials tend to be brought in for selling or sharing by the best gardeners—gardeners in-the-know. Some call them wildflowers; others tout them as fantastic pollinator plants; still others refer to them as cottage garden must-haves. And all are right.

If there is such as thing as a “casual plant”, Black-Eyed Susan is one: Wherever it is seen in the garden, viewers get the impression that it has blown in on the wind and landed there, courtesy of Nature rather than by way of a fussy gardening routine. If you’re drawn to English gardens, cottage gardens, or wildflower meadows, you’ll know what I mean… loosely arranged plantings, naturalistic, pretty. Black-Eyed Susans are suited to these sorts of garden beds.

Black-Eyed Susans are some of the taller plants that get used regularly in the cottage garden. They tend to be found up close to “the cottages”, not in perfectly tamed back borders but in irregular patches—again, like plants that have blown in on the wind. 

While the beginning of summer finds Black-Eyed Susans looking like nothing more than foliage, lengthening stems, and buds, August brings them to life and shows clearly why they are cottage garden must-haves.

In August, golden yellow daisy-like blooms open up, with dark cones in their centers. These, of course, are the black eyes… bright and “smart”, viewing the late summer world of the garden with keen interest and pleasure.

Pollinators love the black eyes, or centers of Black-Eyed Susans. Around these plants, you’ll see butterflies and other beauties spending time and “sipping tea”, so to speak. This is what gardening is all about—encouraging pretty sights of all sorts. 

Worried about caring for these plants? The care is nothing at all, really. There is no need for deadheading individual blooms as they pass; instead, simply cut back all stems and foliage in October or November, and wait for a new summer, a new August.

Now if truth is told, August can be a time when the garden gets a bit dull. Even if you focus on adding plants that bloom in succession, as most of us gardeners do, August can turn into a month of nothing but green. Black-Eyed Susans fill that void, adding warm sunny color like few other plants can. This color is positioned up high, on tall stems, and this gives the feel of sunbursts or fireworks… celebratory flowers that get noticed on plants that require no special care. Let the rainwater come down, let the gardening hose hydrate and refresh… that’s all they need. The plants return year after year in the case of Rudbeckia fulgida. (The similar Rudbeckia hirta is biennial.) They spread a bit as the seasons pass, thus multiplying their beauty. Long-lasting as cut flowers, they add to the end-of-summer/early fall happenings that call for a flower arrangement or two. Wonderful plants!

No need to think about fall yet. Focus on picnics, backyard barbecues, watching fireflies, and wading in cool water… all that is best about summer. But when you have a spare moment, take just a few minutes for planning… planning how to add Rudbeckia fulgida, Black-Eyed Susans to the garden lineup. When August breezes become noticeable, some pops of warm sunshine, thanks to classic Black-Eyed Susans, will extend summer’s beauty. And that’s planning that is worthwhile.