Plant Rudbeckia for the Perfect Summer Statement!

To us, nothing screams “classic perennial favorite” quite like Rudbeckia. There are many different species of Rudbeckia, and in general, it’s known as Black Eyed Susan. In this video, you’ll be learning all about some of our BEST native Rudbeckia species! 

Black Eyed Susan blooming in full Summer sun

In this post, you'll learn:

• Rudbeckia is one of the best native perennials you can add to the garden

• There are multiple varieties of Rudbeckia you can choose from

• Different characteristics and requirements for different Rudbeckia species

• This plant is drought and deer resistant

Black Eyed Susan spread across a native meadow

Rudbeckia come in all different heights and textures, and they like to be planted in full sun with rich, organic, well-draining soil that retains a little bit of water. To help with moisture retention, add an inch or two of mulch around the base of your plants. 

Closeup of Black Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia)

Another benefit of Black Eyed Susan is that it tends to self-seed, so you might be rewarded with more and more plants each year! 

Closeup of Brown-Eyed Susan, Rudbeckia triloba

Let’s go over some of our native Rudbeckia species that you can find right here at Bountiful Gardens! First up is Brown Eyed Susan, or Rudbeckia triloba, which is one of our locally native Black Eyed Susan species. This plant gets about 4-5 feet tall and 3-4 feet wide. Rudbeckia triloba is also one of the more drought resistant species in the genus, meaning it can handle everything from moist soils to dry soils with clay. 

Closeup of Orange Coneflower, Rudbeckia fulgida

Another Rudbeckia species you’ll find here is Rudbeckia fulgida or Orange Coneflower. This one is native throughout the northern United States, including New Jersey. Orange Coneflower is also highly drought tolerant, so it’s perfect for an open meadow alongside Echinacea and Goldenrod.

Closeup of Sweet Coneflower, Rudbeckia subtomentosa

The next Black Eyed Susan species to check out is Rudbeckia subtomentosa, or Sweet Coneflower, which is known for its skinny tubular petals. It’s a United States native, and tends to like moister soils. 

Closeup of Rudbeckia maxima, or the Great Coneflower

If you’re looking for a tall Rudbeckia, the Great Coneflower, or Rudbeckia maxima is the wildflower for you. This plant can reach as high as 8 feet! Unlike the other Black Eyed Susans, this species tends to bloom a bit earlier, starting in early June, and feature elongated cones that are perfect for our migrating birds. 

Closeup of Cutleaf Coneflower, or Coreopsis laciniata

One other native Rudbeckia we need to mention is Rudbeckia laciniata or Cutleaf Coneflower. This is one of our absolute favorites thanks to its beautiful, tall flowers that attract tons of pollinators and feed native birds. This wildflower grows as tall as ten feet and can handle a wide variety of site conditions, from sun to shade and wet to mostly-dry soils. Cutleaf Coneflower is native throughout all of New Jersey and west to Rocky Mountains. 

Cutleaf Coneflower is tall, prominent native wildflower

Not only is Rudbeckia a fantastic perennial for any garden, but it also has a deep history of medicinal use. The roots were commonly steeped in teas to treat infections and other internal ailments, and they were even ground up to treat snake bites! 

Joe admiring a bunch of blooming Rudbeckia

In general, Rudbeckia is a late Summer blooming plant, and they are great as a cut flower. Also as a fun fact, they’re one of the first plants to grow back after a wildfire! 

Rudbeckia spread across a native meadow with Echinacea

With so many sizes and textures to choose from, there’s sure to be a Rudbeckia that’s perfect for your garden, and you can find them all right here at Bountiful Gardens. 

Closeup of Rudbeckia subtomentosa (Sweet Coneflower)

Watch all of the above in video form below!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qWjfiP_Auv4