What’s the difference between black-eyed Susans and Rudbeckia?
Rudbeckia is a genus of plants in the Asteraceae family. All Rudbeckia species are native to at least some parts of North America. These flowers are commonly known as coneflowers or black-eyed Susans due to the raised disc in the center of the flower, which is usually black or brown. Any perennial that can grow in well-draining soil and full sun would make a great companion plant for Black-Eyed Susans. The blue-colored flowers of globe thistle, sea holly, Russian sage, and baptisia have a cooling effect on the hot-colored Black-Eyed Susan flowers.Don’t worry if your black-eyed Susan seeds do not produce flowers the first year! They typically bloom in the summer and fall of the second year.Rudbeckia hirta cones (l) are relatively soft and usually look like black button tufts (hence the name Black-Eyed Susans), while echinacea cones (r) are harder and pricklier and more conical — and are not black, but orange or green or brown.More commonly, the flowers of Rudbeckia fulgida and Rudbeckia hirta are also known as black-eyed Susans. These two species are North American native plants that have been cultivated for home gardens.
What is the difference between black-eyed Susans and Rudbeckia?
ANSWER: Rudbeckia hirta (Black-eyed susan) is often called Brown-eyed susan. Two common names for the same species. And they do indeed look different in different locations. As you may know, the common roadside Black-eyed Susan is named Rudbeckia hirta, and its a biennial. We have the seed in our Wildflower Seed Section, and its a mainstay of wildflower mixtures. But its not dependably perennial. This is what prompted interest in the hardiest perennial species in the Rudbeckia group.Rudbeckia hirta ‘Autumn Colors’ To 28″ tall ( compact ) with enormous flowers up to 5″ across. They come in a profusion from mid summer to early autumn. This strain has a natural life span of 3-5 years – but it does re-sow itself in open and opportune places.
What are common problems with black-eyed Susans?
One of the problems with most black-eyed Susans is that by midsummer you may notice Septoria leaf spot on the foliage. It arrives in warm, wet, humid weather. Most gardeners just remove the foliage, but the plant may start to look bare. Sow and Plant Set seedlings out when they have five or more leaves. Perennial rudbeckias can be grown from seed, but the seeds require cold stratification, making them a good subject for winter sowing. Alternatively, start with a purchased plant in spring, or plant divisions taken from the outside of a friend’s clump.Start seeds of annual black-eyed Susans indoors in spring, and expect germination in 10 days. Grow seedlings under strong light, and set them out when they have five or more leaves. Perennial rudbeckias can be grown from seed, but the seeds require cold stratification, making them a good subject for winter sowing.Rudbeckia supplied as bare roots should be potted up in individual temporary pots with multipurpose compost, this will give them an easy start and then they can be transferred into a border after 1-3 months once they have established some top growth and a stronger root system.
What is the difference between Rudbeckia hirta and Rudbeckia fulgida?
Black-eyed Susan (R. Orange coneflower (R. Coneflowers — Black-eyed coneflower (Rudbeckia hirta) Seeds A bright golden-yellow meadow coneflower with a black center that blooms from mid-summer to fall. It attracts numerous butterflies when in bloom, and birds to its seed heads. Thrives in poor, dry soils.Rudbeckia ‘American Gold Rush’ PP28498. American Gold Rush’ Black-eyed Susan is similar to Rudbeckia ‘Goldsturm’, but is much more disease resistant in humid, hot summers. The yellow daisy-like flowers have striking black center cones, and the bloom period extends from early July until late summer.