American Gold Rush Black Eyed Susan
Best low-maintenance perennial for gardeners seeking vibrant, pollinator-friendly color.
Brighten your garden with the 'American Gold Rush' Black Eyed Susan, a stunning perennial celebrated for its abundant golden blooms from mid-summer through early fall. This award-winning variety offers a compact growth habit, making it a perfect choice for smaller spaces and container gardens. Its foliage remains attractive all season, and the classic daisy-like flowers with dark centers are a magnet for pollinators. Bred for exceptional resistance to Septoria leaf spot, this easy-to-grow Rudbeckia is ideal for sunny borders and mass plantings, providing long-lasting color and beauty.
$15.99
Owner Satisfaction
4.7
/ 5
Category Rank
29
/ 2688
#29 in Landscaping & Garden Plants
Price vs Category Average
-42%
Below average
Mature Height
2226
/ - inches
Who it's for
- Gardeners seeking low-maintenance plants with pristine, healthy foliage
- Pollinator enthusiasts wanting long-lasting, vibrant seasonal color
- Busy homeowners needing drought-tolerant plants for hot climates
Who should skip it
- Minimalists wanting to avoid frequent weeding or garden maintenance
- Shade-garden owners looking for plants that thrive without direct sun
- Pest-averse gardeners who prefer plants that never require monitoring
Performance breakdown
Disease Resistance
Superior breeding makes this variety virtually immune to common leaf spot.
Pollinator Appeal
The vibrant golden blooms act as a reliable magnet for local pollinators.
Maintenance Ease
A low-effort perennial that thrives with minimal intervention once established.
Space Efficiency
Compact mounding habit fits perfectly into containers or tight garden borders.
Bloom Longevity
Provides consistent, high-impact color from mid-summer well into the autumn.
Environmental Resilience
Robust enough to withstand deer, rabbits, and periods of dry weather.
Key Specs
Mature Height
22-26 inches
Mature Spread
18-24 inches
Growing Zones
4-9
Light Requirement
Full Sun
Bloom Time
Mid summer to early fall
Soil Type
Loamy Soil, Well-Drained Soil, Moist
Ships As
Potted Plant (3" Pot)
Awards
All-America Selections Winner
Features
- Highly resistant to leaf spot
- Compact size for smaller gardens
- Long blooming period
- Attracts bees and butterflies
- Resistant to deer and rabbits
- Tolerates dry conditions
- Excellent for cut flowers
- Easy to grow perennial
What customers say
Gardeners overwhelmingly praise the American Gold Rush Black Eyed Susan for its exceptional reliability and stunning visual appeal. This variety is noted for its vigorous growth and ability to thrive through intense summer heat and drought once established. A key feature is the extended bloom period, delivering brilliant golden yellow flowers deep into late autumn when other color fades. Reviewers appreciate its compact, tidy habit, eliminating the need for staking common in older types. Furthermore, its strong resistance to leaf spot diseases ensures healthier foliage all season. Customers value this perennial as a low maintenance choice that provides dependable performance and vibrant, long lasting color, making it highly recommended.
Know before you buy
The primary advantage of this variety is its exceptional resistance to Septoria leaf spot, a common fungal issue that often plagues other Rudbeckia. It also maintains a more compact, mounding habit, making it less prone to flopping over than taller, wilder varieties.
Yes, this variety is considered resistant to both deer and rabbits. While no plant is completely immune if local wildlife is desperate, it is a much safer choice for gardens prone to browsing than many other perennials.
It is a very low-maintenance perennial. Once established, it is drought-tolerant and does not require deadheading to keep blooming, though you can trim it back in late fall or early spring to tidy up the foliage.
Absolutely. Its compact size and mounding growth habit make it an excellent candidate for containers. Just ensure your pot has adequate drainage and receives full sun to keep the plant healthy and blooming.
This variety requires full sun, which means at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight per day. If planted in partial shade, you will likely see fewer flowers and a less compact, more leggy growth habit.
Yes, 'American Gold Rush' is a hardy perennial in growing zones 4 through 9. It will go dormant in the winter and return each spring, typically increasing in size and vigor as the root system matures.
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$16