Golden yellow daisy-like flowers borne in abundance and over the heat of the summer makes Black-eyed Susan a garden mainstay. Blooms typically occur mid summer and continue into early fall. Petals are flat to recurved, and the central discs are prominent and reddish brown to purple. Makes an excellent cut flower, though the seeds are highly enjoyed by birds. Leaves are lance-shaped to oval and a deep green. Grows about 30 to 36 inches tall and wide. Not common in the trade as there are so many named cultivars available, such as 'Goldsturm' and 'Viette's Little Suzy.'
Grow in well drained soil and in full sun. Tolerates a range of soil types, including clay soil, dry soil, shallow soil, rocky soil. Drought and heat tolerant. Though prefers full sun, will tolerate a little shade. Rhizamatous habit means it spreads to form dense colonies, so just plan accordingly when you plant it. Leave flower stalks all winter as the seeds will feed the songbirds and provide winter interest. Cut back stalks and old foliage in late winter. Drought tolerant once established, but blooming period will be longer and more flowerful if watered periodically.