Description
Black Eyed Susan Seeds (Rudbeckia hirta) 6865. Native of Canada. Biennial or perennial.
Approx. 200 seeds/pkt (3,700 seeds/gram)
No wildflower garden is complete without some Black-Eyed Susan somewhere in the border. This robust perennial will turn heads wherever planted and withstand more heat and drought than most. This favourite blooms from July through to September and is an Ontario native plant. Golden-yellow blooms with a dark centre. Easy to grow, adaptable to most soils, trouble-free, and tolerant of heat and drought. Blooms well in full sun or light shade. Height 60-90 cm. Avoid high fertility and irrigate only when absolutely necessary. Hardy to Zone 3. Depending on your climatic regime, plants may behave as biennials, short-lived perennials, or be perceived as perennials because they readily self-sow. For many native and perennial plants, late fall is the best time to sow seed directly outside. Why you ask? Simply put, many of these plants produce seed that is viable but dormant. This means allowing seeds to naturally stratify over window will “wake up” the dormant seed for best results.
How to Grow
This robust wildflower will turn heads wherever planted and withstand more heat and drought than most. It is highly recommended to sow this type outdoors from September through October – select a site in full sun. This fall sowing allows any dormant seed to be naturally stratified over the winter. Seed can be started indoors in a soil-less mix from February to the beginning of March. Germinates at 20° C in 14 to 21 days. Grow on under lights at a slightly cooler temperature before hardening off and transplanting outdoors to a sunny spot.
