Black-eyed Susan

Yellow daisies with a black heart

The black-eyed Susan is a herbaceous plant of the daisy family, Asteraceae, the same as sunflowers and daisies. Its flowers are large daisy-like heads, with ray petals of an intense golden-yellow arranged around a prominent brown-black central cone. This dark heart gives it its common name. The stems are upright and rough, the leaves hairy and bristly, hence the epithet hirta.

Origin and habitat

It is native to North America, where it grows wild in prairies, clearings and open ground. It is very adaptable and vigorous, and has naturalised in other regions too. It is the state flower of Maryland.

Cultivation

It is very easy to grow and much loved in gardens. It wants full sun and well-drained soil, even poor; once established it tolerates drought well. It flowers for a long season, from summer into autumn, and is a magnet for bees, butterflies and other pollinators. It can behave as an annual, biennial or short-lived perennial, and often self-seeds.

Ornamental use and tradition

It is a classic border and cut-flower plant, available in numerous cultivars in colours extending to orange and bronze. It was used medicinally by Native American peoples.

Care

It needs little attention: moderate watering and no waterlogging. Removing faded flowers prolongs the bloom, while leaving some dry heads in autumn provides seeds for birds.