What to Plant With Black Eyed Susans: Companion Plants for Optimal Garden Beauty
What to Plant With Black Eyed Susans?
Black-eyed Susans, both perennial (Rudbeckia fulgida) and annual (Rudbeckia hirta), can be planted with a variety of shrubs, native shrubs, and annual plants.
Some suitable companion plants include red twig dogwood, choisya, elderberry, smoke bush, barberry, snowberry, Oregon grape, mock orange, serviceberry, dill, cilantro, marigolds, cosmos, nasturtium, ageratum, lantana, sweet potato vine, and petunias.
It is important to choose plants that prefer well-draining soil, full sun exposure, and average moisture levels.
Black-eyed Susans thrive in moist, free-draining soil and require at least 6 hours of sun a day.
They can be planted in kitchen gardens to attract beneficial pollinators and are suitable for container gardening.
Regular watering, feeding, deadheading, and allowing plants to stand through winter are essential for their care.
Black-eyed Susans are hardy, easy to grow, and make a great addition to a pollinator garden.
Key Points:
- Black-eyed Susans can be planted with a variety of shrubs, native shrubs, and annual plants.
- Suitable companion plants include red twig dogwood, choisya, elderberry, smoke bush, barberry, snowberry, Oregon grape, mock orange, serviceberry, dill, cilantro, marigolds, cosmos, nasturtium, ageratum, lantana, sweet potato vine, and petunias.
- Plants should prefer well-draining soil, full sun exposure, and average moisture levels.
- Black-eyed Susans thrive in moist, free-draining soil and need at least 6 hours of sun a day.
- They can be planted in kitchen gardens and are suitable for container gardening.
- Regular watering, feeding, deadheading, and winter care are essential for their care.
Did You Know?
1. Black Eyed Susans, also known as Rudbeckia hirta, are native to North America, specifically the eastern and central regions.
2. Contrary to their name, Black Eyed Susans are not actually related to roses. They are part of the sunflower family, Asteraceae.
3. Black Eyed Susans are not only aesthetically pleasing, but they also serve a practical purpose in your garden. Their nectar-rich flowers attract beneficial pollinators like bees, butterflies, and even hummingbirds.
4. Did you know that Black Eyed Susans have a long history in folklore and traditional medicine? Native Americans used the roots of these flowers to make a medicinal tea believed to treat respiratory ailments and snakebites.
5. If you’re looking to diversify your garden and add some companion plants to your Black Eyed Susans, consider planting them alongside Purple Coneflowers (Echinacea purpurea). These two flowers share similar growing conditions and make a beautiful combination in a garden bed.
Suitable Companion Plants For Black-Eyed Susans
When planning your garden, it’s important to choose companion plants that will complement the beauty of black-eyed Susans and provide a harmonious overall aesthetic.
- Perennial black-eyed Susan, with its vibrant yellow flowers and dark centers, is a fantastic choice for naturalistic garden design.
To create a visually appealing and well-balanced landscape, consider planting shrubs such as:
- Red twig dogwood
- Choisya
- Elderberry
- Smoke bush
- Barberry
These shrubs not only provide contrasting foliage colors but also offer an attractive backdrop for the cheerful blooms of black-eyed Susans.
Additionally, native shrubs like:
- Snowberry
- Oregon grape
- Mock orange
- Serviceberry
can be used in combination with black-eyed Susans to enhance the overall beauty of your garden.
By choosing the right companions, you can create a garden that is both visually stunning and sustainable.
Using Annuals To Complement Black-Eyed Susans
Incorporating annual plants into your garden bed alongside black-eyed Susans allows for a delightful mix of colors and textures. Some excellent choices for annual companions include:
- dill
- cilantro
- marigolds
- cosmos
- nasturtium
- ageratum
- lantana
- sweet potato vine
- petunias
These annuals come in a range of hues, from bold and vibrant to soft and delicate, which can add depth and visual interest to your garden. Moreover, planting these annual companions alongside black-eyed Susans will create an ever-changing display of colors throughout the season, keeping your garden alive with beauty.
Don’t forget to water your plants regularly and provide proper care for them to ensure their optimal growth and health.
Planting Black-Eyed Susans In Containers: Best Companion Plants
If you prefer container gardening or want to add some versatility to your garden, planting black-eyed Susans in containers is a great option. When selecting companion plants for container arrangements, it’s essential to choose those that thrive in a similar environment.
Lantana and supertunias are highly recommended companions for black-eyed Susans in containers. Lantana, with its vibrant flower clusters in various warm colors, complements the cheerful yellow blooms of black-eyed Susans. Supertunias, on the other hand, provide a cascading effect with their trailing growth habit, creating a visually pleasing contrast to the upright form of the black-eyed Susans.
Planting these companions in containers will not only enhance the beauty of your garden but also give you the flexibility to move them around and create stunning focal points or accents anywhere you desire.
Tips For Successful Growth Of Black-Eyed Susans
To ensure the optimal growth and longevity of your black-eyed Susans, it’s important to follow a few key tips:
- Black-eyed Susans thrive in moist, free-draining soil, so make sure to provide them with well-draining soil to prevent waterlogged conditions that can harm their roots.
- These resilient flowers require at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day, so choose a location that provides ample sunlight.
- It is also crucial to water the plants thoroughly at the time of planting and regularly throughout the growing season, especially during dry periods.
- To promote healthy growth and abundant blooms, feed your black-eyed Susans once at the beginning of the growing season with a quality plant food, such as Miracle-Gro Shake ‘n Feed Rose & Bloom Plant Food.
- Finally, deadhead the flowers regularly to keep the plants tidy and encourage continuous blooming.
By following these tips, you can ensure the successful growth and vibrant beauty of your black-eyed Susans.
Characteristics And Varieties Of Black-Eyed Susans
Black-eyed Susans, known botanically as Rudbeckia fulgida for perennials and Rudbeckia hirta for annuals, are hardy and easy to grow plants that are a great addition to any garden. They belong to the sunflower family and exhibit similar characteristics such as yellow petals surrounding a dark center, which resembles an eye.
While both perennial and annual varieties are available, perennial black-eyed Susans are especially popular due to their ability to spread by underground stems and reseed prolifically. This makes them excellent for naturalistic or cottage-style gardens.
The height of black-eyed Susans can vary depending on the variety, ranging from compact cultivars standing at around 1 foot to taller ones reaching 3 or 4 feet, making them suitable for various garden settings. To ensure the best chances of success, plant black-eyed Susans in full sun and during spring or early fall, avoiding extreme weather conditions.
These resilient and attractive flowers are not only a feast for the eyes but also a valuable addition to pollinator gardens, attracting beneficial pollinators such as butterflies and bees. Finally, consider leaving the plants standing through the winter as the dried flower heads provide a source of food for birds, adding another dimension of beauty and ecological value to your garden.
- Hardy and easy to grow
- Perennial varieties spread and reseed
- Suitable for naturalistic or cottage-style gardens
- Compact cultivars and taller varieties available
- Plant in full sun during spring or early fall
- Attracts butterflies, bees, and other pollinators
- Dried flower heads provide food for birds
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Frequently Asked Questions
What pairs well with Rudbeckia?
Rudbeckia, commonly known as black-eyed Susan, has several companion and understudy plants that can create a beautiful and harmonious combination. Coreopsis major, with its vibrant yellow flowers, adds a striking contrast to the deep gold of Rudbeckia ‘Goldsturm’. Echinacea purpurea, with its purple petals, creates a stunning color combination and complements the bright yellow of Rudbeckia. Monarda fistulosa, Liatris spicata, Schizachyrium scoparium, and Andropogon gerardii are other great companions that can enhance the overall aesthetic appeal of the Rudbeckia garden. If Rudbeckia fulgida ‘Goldsturm’ is not available, a suitable substitute could be the equally captivating Rudbeckia fulgida var. fulgida. The combinations of these plants can create a truly mesmerizing and diverse display in any garden or landscape.
Where do black-eyed Susans grow best?
Black-eyed Susans thrive in areas with ample sunlight, typically requiring 6 to 8 hours of direct exposure each day. Their optimal conditions include full sun, although they can tolerate a small amount of shade. However, if subjected to too much shade, these resilient flowers may elongate and extend their growth towards the available light source. Thus, providing them with sufficient sunlight will ensure their best growth and development.
What likes black-eyed Susans?
One creature that particularly adores black-eyed Susans is the infamous bumblebee. These vibrant flowers produce copious amounts of nectar, serving as an irresistible source of sustenance for the fuzzy buzzers. Their bright yellow petals and dark chocolate-brown centers act as beacons, guiding bumblebees straight to their delightful feast, making black-eyed Susans an indispensable resource in their quest for energy.
In addition to bumblebees, birds are also enamored with black-eyed Susans. The seeds of these wildflowers project a remarkable feast for feathered friends. With their pointed beaks and agile movements, birds effortlessly pluck the seeds from the black-eyed Susan’s spiky center. Not only do these flowers offer beauty to our surroundings, but they also provide sustenance for a variety of creatures, showcasing the remarkable interconnectedness of the natural world.
What plant is similar to a black eyed Susan?
One plant that is similar to the black-eyed Susan is the coneflower. The rudbeckia genus, which includes coneflowers, comprises approximately 20 species of flowers that bear a striking resemblance to both black-eyed susans and brown-eyed susans. These coneflowers share the same daisy-like structure and vibrant colors, exhibiting a charming and familiar aesthetic.