Irish Eyes Black-Eyed Susan
Rudbeckia hirta 'Irish Eyes'
Very unusual flowers for planting close up. Huge daisy flowers to five inches across. Aster-like petals in golden yellow surround a bright green center. Add to the middle of the border for some sensational late-season color. Performs well in container gardens. Herbaceous perennial.
| Key feature: | Flowers for Cutting |
| Plant type: | Perennial |
| Garden styles: | Cottage, Rustic |
| Deciduous/evergreen: | Herbaceous |
| Cold hardiness zones: | 3 - 9 |
| Light needs: | Partial to full sun |
| Water Needs: | Needs regular watering - weekly, or more often in extreme heat. |
| Average landscape size: | Fast growth to 30 inches tall, 2 feet wide. |
| Growth rate: | Fast |
| Growth habit: | Spreading |
| Flower attributes: | Flowers for Cutting, Showy Flowers |
| Special features: | Attracts Birds, Attracts Butterflies, Attracts Hummingbirds, North American Native Selection, Waterwise |
| Landscape uses: | Border, Container, Mass Planting |
| Flower color: | Yellow |
| Blooms: | Late summer into fall |
| Foliage color: | Green |
| Item no.: | 1171 |
| Retailers for this plant: |
Care Information
Follow a regular watering schedule during the first growing season to establish a deep, extensive root system. For a neat appearance, remove old foliage before new leaves emerge. Divide clumps every 2 to 3 years in early spring.
Design Ideas
An essential perennial for the middle of the border to add late season color. Spot into mixed and foundation beds for bright color. Ideally suited to prairie gardens using other American coneflowers and native grasses. Performs well in pots as large quick maturing annual flower.
Companion Plants
This great flower belongs with other bold perennials such as Volcano White Phlox, (Phlox paniculata 'Barthirtytwo'), Kobold Blazing Star, (Liatris spicata 'Kobold'), Ruby Star Purple Coneflower, (Echinacea purpurea 'Ruby Star'), and Midknight Blue Agapanthus, (Agapanthus x 'Monmid').
History
This great wildflower of North America is one of the most famous to inhabit the prairies and the first to be domesticated as garden flowers. The genus was named in honor of Linnaeus' friend, Olof Rudbeck 1660-1740. There are over 30 species native to America with this one enjoying the largest range.
Lore
The common name, black-eyed Susan relates to the dark brown center of the flower, which has been bred to a green color in this cultivar.
Very unusual flowers for planting close up. Huge daisy flowers to five inches across. Aster-like petals in golden yellow surround a bright green center. Add to the middle of the border for some sensational late-season color. Performs well in container gardens. Herbaceous perennial.
Care Information
Follow a regular watering schedule during the first growing season to establish a deep, extensive root system. For a neat appearance, remove old foliage before new leaves emerge. Divide clumps every 2 to 3 years in early spring.
Design Ideas
An essential perennial for the middle of the border to add late season color. Spot into mixed and foundation beds for bright color. Ideally suited to prairie gardens using other American coneflowers and native grasses. Performs well in pots as large quick maturing annual flower.
Companion Plants
This great flower belongs with other bold perennials such as Volcano White Phlox, (Phlox paniculata 'Barthirtytwo'), Kobold Blazing Star, (Liatris spicata 'Kobold'), Ruby Star Purple Coneflower, (Echinacea purpurea 'Ruby Star'), and Midknight Blue Agapanthus, (Agapanthus x 'Monmid').
History
This great wildflower of North America is one of the most famous to inhabit the prairies and the first to be domesticated as garden flowers. The genus was named in honor of Linnaeus' friend, Olof Rudbeck 1660-1740. There are over 30 species native to America with this one enjoying the largest range.
Lore
The common name, black-eyed Susan relates to the dark brown center of the flower, which has been bred to a green color in this cultivar.
| Key feature: | Flowers for Cutting |
| Plant type: | Perennial |
| Garden styles: | Cottage, Rustic |
| Deciduous/evergreen: | Herbaceous |
| Cold hardiness zones: | 3 - 9 |
| Light needs: | Partial to full sun |
| Water Needs: | Needs regular watering - weekly, or more often in extreme heat. |
| Average landscape size: | Fast growth to 30 inches tall, 2 feet wide. |
| Growth rate: | Fast |
| Growth habit: | Spreading |
| Flower attributes: | Flowers for Cutting, Showy Flowers |
| Special features: | Attracts Birds, Attracts Butterflies, Attracts Hummingbirds, North American Native Selection, Waterwise |
| Landscape uses: | Border, Container, Mass Planting |
| Flower color: | Yellow |
| Blooms: | Late summer into fall |
| Foliage color: | Green |
| Item no.: | 1171 |
