Black-eyed Susans, state flower of Maryland are called that way because of its sultry dark eye in the middle of the daisy-like flower. This flower is so carefree and strong that it can live well even in poor soil conditions. This golden-flower-brown-coned -Black-eyed Susans or Rudbeckia hirta looks so charming that gardeners easily recognize them even from afar.
The Black-eyed Susans are also known to some as a medicinal plant that can cure sicknesses from common colds to dangerous snakebites. This flower also has the amazing ability to grow right back again even after a fire or a natural disaster. It comes in different varieties that you can choose from making it all the more interesting to many gardener enthusiasts. Here are some variants that you can look out for:
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Becky Mix
When this flower blooms it really shows. And if you are going to look closely this variety has a mix of yellow and red centers. Becky mix is a large flowered dwarf selection that cross pollinates that is why its color changes every year. One noticeable feature of it is that the leaves have hairy spines that look a bit weird but are not dangerous to touch. It is not hard to plant and maintain. Learn more on how to plant this variant to get best results.
Cappuccino
Cappuccino can grow well when planted during windy weather conditions. One of the reasons why this is an award winner is because of its festive hue of golden rays with a black cone in the center that makes them stand out in many garden settings. They are not hard to care for and can live well even in large containers. Cappuccinos like well-drained but not soggy soil. You can start by planting it in containers indoors and eventually transplant them outside.
Brown-eyed Susan
Brown-eyed Susan is also called Rudbeckia triloba, these flowers are closely related to Black-eyed Susans. However, it is smaller and has thinner leaves, and grows up to five feet tall. Since they spread without much care they easily attract butterflies, bees, and birds. Since this is the case, it is best to plant its seeds closer so that it will not occupy a wide area of your garden.
Cherry Brandy
Cherry Brandy is a hybrid with a brown-colored center and vivid red petals that goes into a deeper hue. Rabbits pretty much resist these kinds of flowers. They also have non-stop flower blooms that last for more than four weeks. These flowers are strong as they are able to withstand hot weather and drought. Cherry Brandy is a charming variety that you can plant without much fuss.
Chim Chiminee
Chim Chiminee looks different with its petals that look like spikes and its colors which would make any garden look a painting with colors of burnt orange, gold with a purplish center. Its seed head provides songbirds’ seed. They are low maintenance and easy to bloom. These plants can literally turn heads; that is why they are a great addition for decorations and good as cut flowers.
Cherokee Sunset
Cherokee Sunset is an award-winning flower which boasts of beautiful double flowers. Its colors can be a mix of yellow, bronze, and orange. This is a great access and cut plant and the great thing is that they are so easy to bloom and live hassle-free with just average to medium and well-drained soil and they can even be containerized.
Cut-Leaf Coneflower
Cut-Leaf Coneflower is a sunflower-like flower that is also known as Green-headed Coneflower. This grows up to 9 ft. tall and shows tallow color with greenish cones that turn brown as it develops, It can easily thrive once planted as it easily attracts pollinators like different bird species. Some gardeners even believe that they may be weeds as they are able to take over beds and can be found in underground stems, however, they are really a wildflower.
Irish Eyes
Irish Eyes has its own unique look with green lovely cones unlike the usual Black-eyed Susans brown and black. This has single golden yellow and daisy-like petals with “green eye”, This strain is quite tall that grows up to 30 inches, To ensure that it will continue blooming, always remove faded and wilted blossoms. It is not difficult to care for and can live happily even if you have clay in your soil.
Henry Eilers
Henry Eilers is also called Sweet Coneflower and Quilled Brown-Eyed Susans. This is another unique variety that grows in profusion of spiky-looking petals in butter-yellow that are rolled rather flat. They are very reliable because they are borne on strong branching stems. They grow up to 4-8 ft. tall and 2-3 ft. wide. It also has dark-gray green leaves that are both fragrant and pest-free.
Conclusion
Generally, Black-Eyed Susans are lovely, bold and powerful flowers that can either be annuals, biennials or short-lived that is mainly based on its variety. The good news is they are easy to plant and can survive almost without much care needed. The only common problem of this plant is having spotting of leaves disease caused by fungus, The solution to this by having the decayed leaves removed
They are also long-bloomers that allow people to enjoy its different varieties that present very unique and colorful blooms. That is why Black-eyed Susans are perfect for any garden setting and for every flower aficionado who enjoy beauty and bloom!