Explore a Late Summer Blooming Perennial Favorite: Rudbeckia
While many plants begin to die back and dwindle in blooms in August, one exuberant perennial grows in mass: Rudbeckia. Replenishing your summer landscape with warm golden tones, Rudbeckia is a highly acclaimed summer bloomer that lights up any outdoor space it graces.
In this blog, we will highlight the key benefits of Rudbeckia plants in the landscape and introduce a few of our favorite varieties!
Why Plant Rudbeckia in the Late Summer Garden?
Rudbeckia plants, commonly known as Black-Eyed Susans, offer numerous benefits both aesthetically and ecologically to our surrounding environment. Keep reading for a more detailed look at the various benefits of growing rudbeckia plants.
Versatile and Long Lasting
A key reason why many choose to incorporate Rudbeckia into their late-season garden is for its versatility and long-lasting nature. Generally hardy to USDA zones 3-9, these golden stunners are rather adaptable to a range of different climates, making them a great option for a variety of yard projects! These robust plants typically thrive from July through to the first frost of the late fall season. Popular planting designs include use in borders and mass plantings, mixed flowerbeds, and container and cut flower gardens.
Low-Maintenance
In addition to their versatility and long-lasting blooms, you will love Black Eyed Susan plants for their extremely low-maintenance care regimen! The gorgeous specimens are relatively pest—and disease-free, and once established, they are readily drought-tolerant. Rudbeckia are self-seeding, which ensures a continued presence in the garden without much work on your behalf. If you’re searching for a low-maintenance, high-reward perennial for your summer landscape, look no further than Rudbeckia!
Supports Biodiversity
As if we didn’t love this plant enough…a final benefit to growing Rudbeckia in the garden is its magnificent impact on the local environment's biodiversity. The bright yellow petals are magnets to an array of pollinators, and the rich brown centers are a rich source of nectar for bees, butterflies, moths, and more! Beyond that, Rudbeckia seeds provide sustenance to bird populations in late summer through the fall. Lastly, Rudbeckia's deep root systems help stabilize the soil, preventing erosion, especially in areas like roadsides and pastures where they commonly grow.
The Best Rudbeckia Varieties to Light up Your Landscape
Now that you are familiar with the many advantages that come with growing Rudbeckia, it is time to immerse yourself into a few of our favorite varieties!
Goldsturm Black Eyed Susan
‘Goldsturm’ black-eyed Susan is a widely loved cultivar and one of the most popular perennials in gardens today. It was honored with the Perennial Plant of the Year Award in 1999 and received the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit in 1993. This herbaceous perennial grows in a clumping form with upright stems that typically reach 18 to 24 inches tall. Its striking dark green foliage provides a bold backdrop for its vibrant yellow, daisy-like flowers, each featuring a prominent dark brown central disk.
Little Suzy Rudbeckia
Little Suzy" Black-Eyed Susans (Rudbeckia 'Viette's Little Suzy') are planted for their bright, cheerful yellow flowers with dark brown centers, long bloom time, and compact size. They are also known for being low-maintenance, deer-resistant, and attractive to pollinators like butterflies and bees. These plants are a great addition to borders, beds, and cut flower gardens. Unlike some other Black-Eyed Susan varieties, "Little Suzy" is a dwarf cultivar, making it ideal for smaller gardens, borders, and containers.
American Gold Rush Rudebeckia
'American Gold Rush' Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia x 'American Gold Rush') is a popular choice for gardens due to its disease resistance, compact habit, and long bloom time, compared to other Rudbeckia varieties. It has a naturally compact, dome-like shape, which means it doesn't require pinching or pruning to maintain a tidy form, unlike some other cultivars. The American Gold Rush is a well-loved cultivar that can be used in a variety of settings, including perennial borders, mass plantings, cut flower gardens, and native landscapes.
Shop Rudbeckia Plants Online Today
Whether you’re looking to brighten up your garden in the heat of summer or support local pollinators in a meaningful way, Rudbeckia is a standout choice that delivers on all fronts. With its golden blooms, carefree maintenance, and ecological benefits, it’s no wonder this perennial has become a favorite among gardeners and landscapers alike. Add a splash of sunshine to your late-summer garden; explore our collection of Rudbeckia varieties and bring home a plant that truly shines.