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Black-Eyed susans
Written By: Jeannie Chambers - The Accidental Gardener | Issue: 2018/08 - August
The Black-Eyed Susan’s real name is Rudbeckia hirta. The genus was named for Olaus Rudbeck, a professor of Botany from the University of Uppsala, in Sweden. The botanical name of hirta refers to the hair on its stems and leaves. A good way to remember the real name of this plant: If you’re rude to someone, (especially to someone named Becky), you may get socked in the eye, and if you have a black eye, it’s going to hirta little bit.
This sturdy perennial grows upward to about three feet and has beautiful golden yellow, daisy-like petals that span about two to three inches. She thrives in full sun in zones 3–9. If you’ll notice, the petals bow like a ballerina showing reverence to the master ballerina, allowing its cone shaped black eye to step out into the sun’s spotlight. As the rudbeckia hirta grows in height, its leaves change as well. In the beginning, the leaves are more of an oval with smooth teeth along the edges, but as it reaches adulthood, the leaves become narrower, and the saw-teeth more pronounced.
Rudbeckia hirta, like its cousin, Echinacea Purpurea (Purple Coneflower) were used by Native Americans for medicinal purposes such as treatment for snake bites, swelling and infection and to
boost immunity.
These flowers attract butterflies and bees, and are deer resistant. At the end of its growing season, the black eye (or cone) will stick around to help feed the birds. If you’re not sold on this bloomer yet, you may be interested to know the Black-eyed Susan symbolizes Justice. Do you hear all the other flowers in your garden softly chanting, “What do we want? Justice! When do we want it? Now!” Note to fellow gardeners: If you do hear your flowers chanting, please keep it to yourself, your flowers need you in the garden, not in an institution somewhere. Whatever your reasons for adding Black-Eyed Susan to your garden, it’s a good one. In a few years, you can share this plant with your neighbors and friends and let there be justice for all.
