Black Eyed Susan Wildflower

Nature & Nurture Seeds

Rudbeckia hirta

$5.99

Pkt (≈300 seeds)

 60-80 days. One of the most well-known prairie flowers, this cheerful, yellow perennial flower blooms profusely all summer long. Makes a great cut flower and provides food and habitat for bees and butterflies. Plants are 2-3 ft tall, grow in partial to full sun and tolerate wet and dry soil conditions. It's compact habit makes it ideal for formal and wild landscapes alike. This is the wild, Midwest genotype version of the more highly bred Rudbeckias. It is a somewhat short lived perennial living 2-3 years though it can re-seed and naturalize.

Seeds require a “cold stratification” or cold treatment before they will germinate. To start seeds inside, mix the seeds into ½ cup of moist sand (or paper towel) and place in a sealed plastic bag and place in the refrigerator for 6 weeks before planting. Then start seeds inside 4/1-6/1, 1/16" deep. Days to germination: 14-21. Transplant outside May-July 12-18" apart. Alternatively, sow seeds outside in late summer, fall or early spring (before March 1st) so they are naturally exposed to the cold. Plant in full sun location. Prepare area by removing weeds and loosen soil surface with a rake. Hand broadcast (sow) seeds evenly over area. Water seeds with a light sprinkle after sowing. From seed, these plants can take 1-3 years to become established and large enough to flower. We recommend sowing several species of native plants together such as “Save the Bees” or “Good Bug Blend.” We also recommend sowing annual plant seeds to fill in the area until the native plants get established. Try Blanket Flower, Hopi Red Dye Amaranth, Dyer’s Coreopsis, Calendula, or Cosmos.