Feature Foliage

Black-eyed Susan
(Rudbeckia)
In 1720 an English writer, John Gray, published a ballad about a young maiden named Black-eyed Susan who boarded a ship in the harbor to find her lover, Sweet William. After she found him, the ship's captain told her to leave. The bittersweet parting of Black-eyed Susan and Sweet William became a popular legend of love in English literature, as well as, garden favorites.
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The Black-eyed Susan is the state flower of Maryland and symbolizes "justice" in the language of flowers.

Horseracing's second leg of the Triple Crown, the Preakness, is also known as "The Run for the Black-eyed Susans", where the winning horse is presented with a blanket made of the yellow and black flowers.

Black-eyed Susans have been used by Native Americans to boost immunity, fight colds, flu and infections, treat snake bits, act as an astringent and a diuretic. 

This species is toxic to cats when ingested.

Soil:     moist, well-drained soil
Light:    part sun, sun
Bloom:  summer bloom, fall bloom, winter interest
Uses:    used to brighten any yard or garden
            butterflies and birds are attracted to Black-eyed Susans when planted in large color-                 masses
            deer resistant and drought tolerant
            great for cut flowers as they have a "vase life" up to 10 days.