Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) This native prairie biennial wildflower is quite common and familiar to most of us who have walked a wild meadow or browsed the gardens of their local parks. Black Eyed Susan is a common name shared by a long list of plants, but this is the species native to northeastern North America. First Nations peoples regularly utilized many parts of this plant to treat a number of illnesses, including cold and flu. This short-lived perennial bears daisy-like flowers with dark centers, occurring singly on 1-2 ft. stems. A fantastic looking plant in a mass planting or in the planters of your backyard that blooms from June to October. Butterflies, bees, and a variety of other insects are attracted to the flowers for the nectar. Our selection comes from Riding Mountain MB in 2009. We spotted a wild stand near Lake Audy on our trip to visit the Bison enclosure. These plants have distinct yellow outer petals giving way to a slight orange hue near the center.
75 seeds per packet $4.45
Planting Instructions: Requires cold stratification before seeding. (4-5 weeks of refrigeration.) Start indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost date. Broadcast seed on top of soil and lightly cover with dome or plastic film until emergence. Seeds can be sown outdoors in the late fall to satisfy cold period required for spring germination.
Days to Sprout: 7 - 14
Plant Spacing: 12"- 18" (30cm - 45cm)
Plant Height: 18" - 24" (45cm - 60cm)
Features:
Hardiness Zones: 3 - 10
Bloom Time: June - October
Light Requirements: Full Sun / Partial Shade
Attracts Bees, Butterflies, & Other Insects
Great as Cut Flowers or Bouquets
