Rudbeckia hirta

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From summer into early fall, this wonderous plant bears daisy like blossoms up to 3 inches across with light or deep yellow petals with brownish-purple centers. The stems have long white hairs, with each stem producing a single composite flower. The style-tips of the disk florets are slender and pointed. Each composite flower is about 2-3" across, and has no noticeable scent. The preference is full sun, and slightly moist to moderately dry soil conditions. Any reasonably fertile soil will be satisfactory. This plant is fast to mature and easy to grow, although short-lived. Sometimes an outbreak of powdery mildew on the leaves in a moist enviroment will show up in the fall. In natural habitats, Black-eyed Susan Wildflower Seeds occurs in mesic to dry prairies, mesic to dry upland forests, particularly in open rocky areas, as well as pastures and abandoned fields, areas along railroads and roadsides. Black-Eyed Susan colonizes disturbed areas readily, and recovers moderately well from fires. Black-Eyed Susan is an excellent choice for prairie restorations, or the first-year planting of a wildflower garden, as it may bloom during the first year from seed. They are members of the sunflower family, the “black eye” is named for the dark brown-purple centers of its daisy-like flower heads. The plants can grow to over 3 feet tall, with leaves of 6 inches, stalks over 8 inches long and flower diameter of 2 to 3 inches. Butterflies, bees and a variety of insects are attracted to the flowers for the nectar. As they drink the nectar, they move pollen from one plant to another, causing it to grow fruits and seeds that can move about easily with the wind.Black-eyed Susans are good for cut flowers; they also work well for borders or in containers.

•  Black-eyed Susans when the soil temperature has reached 70 degrees F for best seed germination. In many parts of North America, the planting period is March to May. The flower will flower June to September. Germination takes 7 to 30 days.
• Plant seeds in moist, well-drained soil.
• Sow by seed in loosely covered soilBlack-eyed Susans generally grow between 1 and 3 feet tall (though they can grow taller) and can spread between 12 to 18 inches, so plant seeds closer to prevent lots of spreading or plant further apart to make a nice border.
• All of our wildflowers are Non-GMO as well and neonicotinoid-free.

Tips On When And Where To Plant Wildflower Seeds
Sowing wildflower seeds is one of the simplest forms of gardening, fun do do with kids and a rewarding activity for gardeners of all ages. A few simple steps will increase your success in wildflower gardening.

First, find out what your gardening zone is. Take a look at our zoning information. Don't plant wildflowers when frost is still a danger in the early months of the year, or when frost is about to set in near year's end. In most regions, the optimal planting time for wildflowers begins as soon as all danger of frost has past and warmer days are ahead.

Do you live in California, Florida or southern Texas? Times of frost are minimal in your area, and you can plant wildflowers in all but the coldest weeks of the year, or the very hottest part of summer. In California, most gardeners plant their wildflower seed in the early winter, so that it is sitting there ready for the first rains to wake it up! In Florida, however, fall is a better time to plant wildflower seeds.

Are you in a rainy corner of the country? Plant before your local rainy season begins, ensuring that your wildflowers will have plenty of time to germinate and establish themselves before summer heat hits in.

In many parts of the country, both annual and perennial wildflower seeds will become permanent parts of the garden, growing either via reseeding or by living on from year to year on their own roots.

If you aren't sure about your zone or optimal wildflower planting time, you can contact your local Ag Department.

How To Plant Your Wildflower Seeds
To ensure even sowing of wildflower seeds, try mixing sand or vermiculite with 1/2 the amount of seeds you've purchased. Sow by scattering this throughout the desired area, and then go back over the area with the plain seed (not mixed with sand or vermiculite). This will help you to avoid a patchy look.

Don't rake or cover your wildflower seeds with dirt. Instead, after you've finished scattering the wildflower seed, simply walk over the area in your shoes - or barefoot if you're a nature-loving guy or gal! This will gently compress the seeds into the soil without burying them.

If you're expecting rain within a week or so of sowing your wildflower seed, there is no need to water. But, if you live in a dry area or can't count on rain, mist the wildflower seed growing area with a hose or gentle sprinkler. Keep the seed bed moist until the little plants are established or rain is falling on its own without help from your garden hose! Germination times are unique to each variety with some appearing in as little as a week and others taking many weeks to germinate. Be patient - each variety will start growing at the time that is right for it.