Indian Summer Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta 'Indian Summer') is a perennial of the Asteraceae family. With stems as tall as 4 feet at maturity, it produces an abundance of very large (6 - 9 inches across) daisy-like flowers with bright yellow petals, around a dark chocolate, domed cone on tall, stiff stems. This tall Black-eyed Susan plant is upright and leafy, and spreads to 2 feet. Foliage is rough and hairy, and lance-shaped. A long (from July to October), as well as prolific bloomer, Indian Summer Gloriosa Daisy requires almost no upkeep once it is established. Of course, deadheading will improve floriferousness, and you will want to gather some seeds for other parts of your garden, and to share with your friends. Indian Summer Rudbeckia will continue to spread slowly through self-seeding. Blooms the first year it is planted. It’s a wonderful perennial for sunny cutting gardens; and naturalized and wildflower gardens. Fits in well in any border. A wonderful fresh cut flower, the dried seedheads on stems are great in dried arrangements. It will attract many butterflies, birds and pollinating insects. Tolerant of drought, heat, deer and clay soil. Indian Summer Black-Eyed Susan can be strongly impacted by frost, so do mulch and cover in the winter. Because of this, some people grow it as an annual. However, given its seeding nature, you will always have new plants coming on.
