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Black-eyed Susan
Rudbeckia hirta

Black-eyed Susan is one of the most commonly recognized native plants. A staple in many native gardens, it is a biennial that blooms in its second year and readily reseeds. Finches also enjoy the seeds. | A common, native, short-lived biennial forb that readily self-seeds and is up to 3' tall. A critical component for fast establishment of erosion-control areas and soil stabilization projects. Establishes easily by seed and crowds out weeds with minimal help.

USDA symbol: RUHI2

General Information

Plant TypeForb
Height1 to 3 feet
Light ExposureSun
Soil MoistureDry
Bloom ColorYellow
Black-eyed Susan (Black-eyed Susan<div><em class="small">Rudbeckia hirta</em></div>)
Photo credit: Minnesota Native Landscapes (Click to enlarge)

Tolerances

Flooding / Inundation ToleranceLow
General Resilience6
Salt ToleranceMedium
Stress ToleranceDrought Tolerant, Fire Tolerant, General Disturbance

Pollinator Value: Very High

Bloom MonthsJune to September
Larval Host ofBees, Butterflies, Moths
Specific Pollinators HostedChlosyne nycteis, Numerous bee species, Synchlora aerata, Synchlora frondaria
Pollinator BenefitInsect Pollinated, Provides Nectar, Supports Generalists

Project Planning

Project TypeErosion Control, Rain Garden, Restoration, Shoreline Buffer, Upland Buffer
Coefficient of Conservatism3
Herbivore SensitivityMedium
LifespanBiennial, Perennial
Rate of SpreadMedium
Soil StabilizationShallow
Vegetative ReproductionAbsent

Range

CountyAitkin, Anoka, Becker, Beltrami, Benton, Blue Earth, Brown, Carlton, Carver, Cass, Chippewa, Chisago, Clay, Clearwater, Cook, Crow Wing, Dakota, Dodge, Douglas, Faribault, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Hennepin, Houston, Isanti, Itasca, Kanabec, Kandiyohi, Kittson, Koochiching, Lake, Lake of the Woods, Le Sueur, Lincoln, Mahnomen, Marshall, Martin, McLeod, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Mower, Murray, Nicollet, Nobles, Norman, Olmsted, Otter Tail, Pennington, Pine, Pipestone, Polk, Pope, Ramsey, Red Lake, Redwood, Renville, Rice, Rock, Roseau, Scott, Sherburne, St. Louis, Stearns, Steele, Todd, Wabasha, Wadena, Waseca, Washington, Watonwan, Wilkin, Winona, Wright
EcoregionDriftless Area, Lake Agassiz Plain, North Central Hardwood Forests, Northern Glaciated Plains, Northern Lakes and Forests, Northern Minnesota Wetlands, Western Cornbelt Plains
Approximate Eco ProvinceEastern Broadleaf Forest, Laurentian Mixed Forest, Prairie Parkland, Tallgrass Aspen Parklands