Black-eyed Susan

Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia fulgida), also called orange coneflower, is a clumping perennial in the Asteraceae family native to the southeastern United States. It reaches 2-3 ft tall with a 1-2 ft spread and grows rapidly. Ten to twenty brilliant yellow-orange ray florets 1-3 inches wide surround a purple-brown central disk, blooming August through October.

Black-eyed Susan is hardy in zones 3a-9b and prefers full sun with moist, well-drained soil including clay and shallow rocky substrates, with low to moderate water needs. The plant tolerates deer, drought, clay soil, and urban conditions. Fulgidic acid, a chemical compound, was named after this species.