Rudbeckia 'Prairie Sun' Black-Eyed Susan
Best low-maintenance choice for gardeners wanting vibrant, pollinator-friendly cut flowers.
The Rudbeckia 'Prairie Sun' Black-Eyed Susan is an All-America Selections Winner known for its prolific summer-through-fall blooms. This biennial or short-lived perennial produces huge, up to 5-inch, daisy-like flowers featuring yellow-tipped orange rays and a unique light green button center. Borne singly on sturdy stems, these blooms are excellent for long-lasting cut flowers. As a native North American plant, it thrives in full sun and adapts well to various soils, including clay, tolerating heat and drought once established. It attracts bees and butterflies, and the resulting seed heads provide winter interest for songbirds.
$18.95
Owner Satisfaction
4.7
/ 5
Category Rank
61
/ 2690
#61 in Plants
Price vs Category Average
-57%
Below average
Genus
Rudbeckia
/ Rudbeckia
Who it's for
- Gardeners seeking a high-impact, colorful focal point
- Landscapers wanting continuous color until the first frost
- Floral designers needing long-lasting, sturdy cut flowers
Who should skip it
- Gardeners looking for a permanent, low-effort perennial
- Busy homeowners wanting a strictly low-maintenance garden
- Gardeners in humid climates prone to fungal issues
Performance breakdown
Bloom Longevity
Prolific flowering cycle extends reliably from early summer through late fall.
Pollinator Appeal
High-impact nectar source that actively draws bees and butterflies to gardens.
Environmental Resilience
Established plants handle heat, drought, and clay soils with impressive ease.
Structural Integrity
Sturdy stems hold heavy blooms upright without the need for staking.
Maintenance Requirements
Low-effort perennial that thrives with minimal intervention once properly rooted.
Floral Utility
Large, distinctive blossoms serve as exceptional additions to fresh cut arrangements.
Key Specs
Genus
Rudbeckia
Species
hirta
Hardiness Zones
3 - 8
Mature Height
3 Feet
Mature Width
2 Feet
Light Requirement
Full Sun
Bloom Period
Early Summer to Late Fall
Features
- Award Winner (AAS Winner 2003, Fleuroselect Gold Medal 2003)
- Produces huge, up to 5-inch daisy-like flowers
- Sturdy stems that resist flopping
- Excellent for use as long-lasting cut flowers (fresh or dried)
- Attracts bees and butterflies
- Seed heads provide winter interest for songbirds
- Deer and rabbit resistant (mature plants)
- Easy to grow and low maintenance
What customers say
Customers consistently celebrate the exceptional reliability and stunning visual quality of the 'Prairie Sun' Rudbeckia. Reviewers frequently note the plants arrive healthy and establish quickly, demonstrating robust growth even in challenging conditions. The vibrant, oversized golden blooms deliver significant garden impact, exceeding expectations for color saturation and longevity. This variety is highly praised for its dependable performance and spectacular display, making it a favorite for adding reliable sunshine to the landscape.
Know before you buy
It is technically a biennial or short-lived perennial. While it may not return for many years like a long-lived perennial, it often self-sows in the garden, allowing new plants to emerge in the same spot each season.
Since this variety reaches a mature width of about 2 feet, you should space your plants at least 24 inches apart to ensure proper air circulation and prevent overcrowding.
No, staking is generally not required. 'Prairie Sun' is known for its sturdy, strong stems that are designed to resist flopping, even with its large 5-inch blooms.
Yes, they are excellent for arrangements. Their long, sturdy stems and long-lasting nature make them a favorite for both fresh bouquets and dried floral projects.
Once established, 'Prairie Sun' is generally resistant to deer and rabbits. However, it is always a good idea to protect young, tender transplants until they have developed a more robust root system.
You can deadhead throughout the summer to encourage more blooms. However, leave the final flowers of the season on the plant, as the dried seed heads provide essential food for songbirds during the winter.
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$19