Black-eyed Susan

Black-Eyed Susan is a cheerful flowering perennial known for its bright golden-yellow, daisy-like flowers with dark brown centers. The long-lasting blooms usually appear from summer into fall, bringing dependable color to the garden during some of the hottest weeks of the growing season.

Butterflies, bees, and other beneficial pollinators regularly visit the flowers. Once the blooms fade, the dark seed heads may attract finches and other seed-eating birds. Leaving a few stems standing through fall and winter can provide food for wildlife while adding natural seasonal interest to the garden.

Black-Eyed Susan works well in pollinator gardens, cottage gardens, wildflower areas, sunny borders, mass plantings, and naturalized spaces. Its upright flowers pair especially well with Purple Coneflower, Blazing Star, Bee Balm, ornamental grasses, and other summer-blooming plants. Our guide to flowering plants and shrubs that attract pollinators includes more ideas for creating a garden that supports bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and other beneficial wildlife.

Plant Black-Eyed Susan in full sun for the strongest growth and heaviest flowering. It can tolerate some light shade, but plants receiving less sunlight may become stretched or produce fewer blooms. Choose well-drained soil and water regularly during the first growing season while the roots become established.

Once established, Black-Eyed Susan generally handles Southern heat and short dry periods well. A light layer of mulch can help conserve soil moisture and reduce weed growth, but avoid piling mulch against the crown.

Removing faded flowers can encourage continued blooming and keep the planting looking tidy. Leave some seed heads in place when wildlife value is more important than a perfectly groomed appearance. Crowded clumps can be divided every few years to improve airflow, maintain vigorous growth, and create additional plants.

The North Carolina Extension Black-Eyed Susan profile provides additional information about sunlight, soil, flowers, pollinator value, wildlife benefits, and general care. With full sun, well-drained soil, and occasional division, Black-Eyed Susan can provide dependable summer color for many years.