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| ## black-eyed susan {#black-eyed-susan .Title-Header}                 |
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| *Rudbeckia hirta* L.                                                  |
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| Plant Symbol = RUHI2                                                  |
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Contributed by: USDA NRCS Plant Materials Program

![Color image of Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia
hirta)](media/image2.jpeg){width="3.1251968503937007in"
height="2.1145669291338582in"}

##### Uses {#uses .Header-3}

*Erosion control*: Black-eyed Susan is an important component in
critical area treatment plantings along with grasses, legumes, and other
forbs when used along road cuts, hillsides, and other areas subject to
erosion.

*Wildlife*: This plant offers protection and food to several song and
game birds.

*Recreation and beautification*: Black-eyed Susan can be used for
landscaping and in wildflower gardens.

##### Status {#status .Header-3}

Please consult the PLANTS Web site and your State Department of Natural
Resources for this plant's current status (e.g. threatened or endangered
species, state noxious status, and wetland indicator values).

##### Description {#description .Header-3}

*Rudbeckia hirta* L., black-eyed Susan, is a biennial forb about 1 m
tall with yellow ray flowers and dark brown spherical centers. After
germination, the seedling grows into a rosette with oblong leaves.
Sometimes flower stalks will appear in the first summer, but typically
black-eyed Susan blooms from June to September of the second year. After
flowering and seed maturation, the plants die. The seed is very small
(1,746,000 per pound) and black, about 2 mm long and 0.5 mm in diameter.

##### Adaptation and Distribution {#adaptation-and-distribution .Header-3}

Black-eyed Susan is naturalized in most of the states east of Kansas and
the bordering areas of Canada. It is adapted throughout the Northeast on
soils with a drainage classification range from well-drained to somewhat
poorly drained. It will perform acceptably on droughty soils during
years with average or above rainfall, but best growth is achieved on
sandy, well drained sites. It is winter hardy in areas where low
temperatures are between -30 ° and -20 °F.

For a current distribution map, please consult the Plant Profile page
for this species on the PLANTS Website.

##### Establishment {#establishment .Header-3}

Black-eyed Susan is easily established with most critical area seeding
techniques. Generally ½ lb. of seed per acre is sufficient in mixes with
conservation grasses, legumes, and other forbs. Where the intent is to
maximize the impact of the forb component, utilize bunchgrasses rather
than aggressively spreading grasses such as reed canarygrass or
bromegrass. Once established, new seedlings will be produced from the
preceding crop; the stand may perpetuate itself indefinitely.

##### Management {#management .Header-3}

After establishment, competing perennial vegetation should be controlled
through the use of mechanical or chemical practices. If competing
vegetation is not controlled, one will observe a decrease in the number
of black-eyed Susan plants.

##### Pests and Potential Problems {#pests-and-potential-problems .Header-3}

There are no major insect or disease pests of black-eyed Susan. Stands
can be reduced by powdery mildew and damping-off organisms.

##### Cultivars, Improved, and Selected Materials (and area of origin) {#cultivars-improved-and-selected-materials-and-area-of-origin .Header-3}

\'Golden Jubilee\' black-eyed Susan was released by the Big Flats Plant
Materials Center in 1985. It is typical of the species except slightly
shorter in height with a longer bloom period. It was [not]{.underline}
selected for its flower size or color. \'Golden Jubilee\' is the only
cultivar of black-eyed Susan that has proven adaptation throughout the
Northeast for conservation use. The original collection area of \'Golden
Jubilee\' was near Manchester, Vermont. Foundation seed is distributed
to commercial producers by the Big Flats PMC in Corning, NY. Black-eyed
Susan is readily available from commercial sources.

##### Prepared By & Species Coordinator:  {#prepared-by-species-coordinator .Header-3}

USDA NRCS Plant Materials Program

##### Edited: 05Feb2002 JLK; 060809 jsp {#edited-05feb2002-jlk-060809-jsp .Header-4}

For more information about this and other plants, please contact your
local NRCS field office or Conservation District, and visit the PLANTS
Web site\<[http://plants.usda.gov](http://plants.usda.gov/)\> or the
Plant Materials Program Web site
\<[http://Plant-Materials.nrcs.usda.gov](http://Plant-Materials.nrcs.usda.gov/)\>

*The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in
all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national
origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual
orientation, and marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases
apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require
alternative means for communication of program information (Braille,
large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA\'s [TARGET
Center](http://www.usda.gov/oo/target.htm) at 202-720-2600 (voice and
TDD).*

*To file a complaint of discrimination write USDA, Director, Office of
Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence
Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call 202-720-5964 (voice or
TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.*

*Read about [Civil Rights at the Natural Resources Convervation
Service](http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/about/civilrights/).*