The plant itself is stiff and branching, reaching up to 4 feet tall. The leaves are alternate on the stem, and some varieties have toothed leaves while others have almost a smooth margin to the leaves. It’s at least cultivated as such, because it flowers within the first year, while most biennials or perennials would not flower until their second year or beyond. hirta is mostly considered an annual and can bloom well into the summer. Because there are many different varieties, their ability to come back each season can be impacted by many variables. It seems the jury is out as to whether R. hirta is considered an annual flower, biennial, or perennial. Fun fact: The yellow hue of the petals is often described as “ taxi-cab yellow.” This species is often called “gloriosa daisy” or “black-eyed Susan” for the flower’s dark center disk flowers and cheerful yellow ray flowers (a.k.a. Rudbeckia hirta This variety of Rudbeckia typically has a bright taxi-cab yellow color. Each species has many unique cultivated varieties that we’ll discuss later in this article. To clear up some confusion, I’ll talk about three of the main types of Rudbeckias you’ll commonly see sold at plant nurseries or markets in Fall or Spring. CultivationĬall them black-eyed Susans, brown-eyed Susans, coneflowers, or you-name-it-these flowers are all a part of the Rudbeckia genus. Read on to learn more about the other Rudbeckia species and their specific characteristics. Much of the history of Rudbeckia is ascribed to R. hirta. There are many other species besides R. hirta, but this is the most popular species it seems in the genus. The species name hirta comes from the Latin adjective “hirtus” meaning “rough” or “hairy.” Linnaeus described and named the plant in 1753, naming it after his mentor Olaf Rudbeck.

Rudbeckia hirta was reportedly brought to Europe not long after Columbus’ trip to America. A leaf wash prepared by the Cherokee was used to treat swelling caused by worms. Root infusions were used to treat children with worms, sores, and colds. The flowers were used to make green and yellow dyes. All parts of the black-eyed Susan plant were utilized by Native Americans. Specifically, the species R. hirta is mostly native to the United States. Rudbeckia species are native to North America, and for this reason, much of their history involves Native Americans. Rudbeckia Plant History These bright flowers are native to North America and have a rich history with Native Americans. Hirta, fulgida, triloba, maxima, and more The birds, bees, and butterflies love them, and so will you! These plants are relatively easy to care for and also easy to multiply if you’re looking to expand your garden! Don’t miss out on these relatives of the sunflower (both are members of the Asteraceae family). Rudbeckias are beautiful not only in the landscape but also in a fresh-cut flower arrangement on your table. They’re a staple in a pollinator patch, and they’ll reward you ten times over in a perennial garden bed. Traditional Rudbeckias have golden-yellow petals with dark center disks and, most of the time, hairy stems and leaves in a shade of dark green. These yellow perennial flowers are all a part of the Rudbeckia genus, and they’re commonly called “black-eyed Susans,” “brown-eyed Susans,” “coneflowers,” or “gloriosa daisies.” I, for one, have always known them as “black-eyed Susans,” and the name surely fits. In the fall, the potted chrysanthemums and pumpkins arrive at your local plant nursery, and so do pots of these charming flowers again, but this time they display themselves in yellow, orange, mahogany, brown, and every shade in between. If you’ve ever taken a drive through the eastern and midwestern United States in mid to late summer, undoubtedly you’ve seen a familiar flash of taxi-cab yellow peeking out amongst the roadside weeds.

Indigo flower roughly 20 petals