The Black-Eyed Susan belongs to the sunflower family and is the state flower of Maryland. It’s also a medicinal herb believed to treat colds, flu and even snakebites.
The Black-Eyed Susan is known to be pioneer plants since they’re the first to grow after instances of fire or natural calamities.
Different Types of Black-Eyed Susans
Officially known as Rudbeckia hirta, there are dozens of varieties of the Black-Eyed Susan.
Black-Eyed Susan Colors
They grow upright, most of them tall, and have petals that are various shades of yellow, orange, orange-red, and even mahogany.
There are many different species and black-eyed Susan varieties. Below you will find:
- All types of rudbeckia/black-eyed Susans
- Black-eyed susan varieties
- Black-eyed susan pictures
- Black-eyes susan names
1. Becky Mix
Dense petals of yellow, orange, orange-red, and bi-colors, they are perfect flowers if you have large containers that you wish to plant something in, in part because they are the perfect height, 12 inches. They do best in full sunlight and for those living in zone 5.
2. Brown-Eyed Susan
Officially called Rudbeckia triloba, these flowers are relatively small, have thin leaves, and grow up to five feet in height. They are great at attracting butterflies, bees, and birds and they are easy to grow even in a drought.
3. Cappuccino
These grow 18-20 inches tall and are known by their gold and mahogany bi-colored petals. Their propagation requires temperatures between 70 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit and they do great when planted in large containers, even those holding more than three gallons.
4. Cherokee Sunset
Looking closer to a dahlia than a Black-Eyed Susan, this burgundy- and orange-colored variety is deer-resistant and has semi-double to full-double blooms.
5. Cherry Brandy
With bright red or burgundy petals and a red-burgundy center, these flowers are deer-resistant, have a long bloom time, and can even tolerate droughts. They are an eye-catching variety that looks great when planted near flowers of contrasting colors
6. Chim Chiminee
With fairly dense, spiky petals and a large purplish center, they come in a variety of colors that includes brown, russet, and various shades of yellow.
They attract butterflies, grow up to 30 inches in height, and need to grow in a specific temperature, which is between 65 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit. They are very showy and eye-catching.
7. Chocolate Orange
These flowers grow up to two feet high, are mahogany or brown with yellow tips, and need full sun to grow well. They also attract birds and butterflies and they are resistant to deer.
8. Clasping Leaf Coneflower
With spiky green leaves and yellow and orange petals set far apart that clasp an unusually large, round center, they can grow up to 24 inches high and are very showy. They are an unusual flower and will certainly catch the attention of anyone viewing your garden.
9. Cut-Leaf Coneflower
With yellow, spaced-apart petals and a green center, these flowers can grow up to nine feet high and are deer-resistant as well as tolerant of humidity, making them excellent choices for those who live in zones 3-9.
10. Denver Daisy
Perfect for those in zones 3-9, these flowers resemble a sunflower because of their dark-red color and wide yellow tips. They grow up to two feet high and grow well even in drought conditions.
The Denver Daisy works well in pots that are extra large, although they do need excellent drainage regardless of the size pot they’re in.
11. Early Bird Gold
These flowers have beautiful golden-yellow or brown petals and dark-brown centers a little larger than other types of Susans and they grow up to two feet high. They prefer lots of sun and have sparse petals that surround a fairly wide center. They also attract hummingbirds.
12. Giant Coneflowers
Officially known as Rudbeckia maxima, these flowers have large, tall eyes and drooping but attractive yellow leaves.
They can grow up to seven feet high and are perfect for zones 4-9. Even their foliage is attractive, containing bluish-green leaves that stand out among the other leaves in the garden.
13. Golden Glow
An extra-tall plant that grows up to eight feet in height, their thick yellow petals look similar to mums and have no distinct center. They are deer- and rabbit-resistant and are attractive to bees, butterflies, and birds.
14. Goldstrum
With extra-large, thick, dark centers and bright yellow or yellow-brown petals, these flowers grow up to three feet high and are actually edible to birds. The faded flowers should be deadheaded during the season to get more flowerings to liven up your garden.
15. Green Eyes
As their name implies, these flowers have distinct green centers and sparse, bright-yellow petals. They are very attractive and unique.
16. Green Wizards
Also called Western Coneflowers, they are an unusual Black-Eyed Susan because they contain green sepals and very wide, dark centers. They grow up to five feet tall and do well as cut or dried flowers as well as in smaller pots.
17. Henry Eilers
Known also by the name Quilled Brown-Eyed Susans, they are great for people living in zones 4-8 and they have sparse, spiky-looking yellow petals that are rolled instead of flat, giving them a quilled look.
They can get over six feet in height and have dark grey-green, fragrant leaves. Butterflies love them; fortunately, deer do not.
18. Indian Summer
The winner of several international awards, this variety has long yellow petals and a small black center and blooms best in zones 3-7.
For best results, you should thin out the fuzzy green seedlings in the spring because this prevents mildew from causing poor air circulation and gives the plants more space to grow.
19. Irish Eyes
At a height of up to 30 inches, these flowers are an eye-catcher in any garden.
Their green centers can be the perfect highlight for other green flowers in your garden, including certain zinnias and the Green Wizard variety of the Black-Eyed Susan. This variety is also easy to grow even if you have a lot of clay in your soil.
20. Kelvedon Star
With wide flowers containing bi-color petals that are mahogany and bright yellow, they are showy and attractive flowers that everyone will notice.
21. Little Goldstar
Good for zones 4-10, these flowers have spiky yellow petals and dark-brown centers. They only grow to approximately 16 inches in height and they are great for use as cut or dried flowers.
22. Little Henry
Also known as a quilled dwarf, these flowers are bright yellow and can grow up to three feet in height. They are rabbit- and deer-resistant and they have a very unique look that everyone seems to love.
23. Marmalade
A very showy and beautiful flower, their uniqueness comes from their bi-color appearance that consists of dark yellow or orange colors and lighter yellow tips. The dark centers bring out the bright colors and highlight their semi-wide petals. They also have large, attractive leaves.
24. Maya
If your growing conditions are less than perfect, this might be a good choice for you to consider because they do not flop or get destroyed by disease.
They look similar to fall mums and are bright yellow in color. They also grow up to 18 inches in height; therefore, they are perfect for borders and containers.
25. Missouri Coneflower
These do better in zones 5-8 and contain yellow, sparse petals and a dark center. They grow two to three feet high and go dormant occasionally. They are also very attractive to butterflies, making for an attractive garden indeed.
26. Moreno
Also known as the dwarf gloriosa daisy, their petals are orange and burgundy and top out at only 12 inches high. The Moreno is a perfect flower for borders and to place in fall flower arrangements. Because of their sturdiness, even the cut flowers can last up to two weeks.
27. Prairie Glow
Stunning flowers, their petals are dark orange and their tips are bright yellow, making them truly eye-catching. They are easy maintenance; in fact, you should never use artificial fertilizer on the Prairie Glow because it can cause them to flop.
28. Prairie Sun
With green centers and yellow and orange petals, these flowers give your flower beds a very unique look. You can buy transplants in the spring; when planted, they should bloom from June until the first frost.
29. Radiance
These flowers have dense, spiky-looking petals that are different shades of yellow with a center that is almost hidden amongst those petals. Their fullness makes them look a little different than other types of Black-Eyed Susan and they are very showy.
30. Rough Coneflower
These have centers that are extra high and large and their yellow petals droop down as if trying to touch the earth. They are very showy and eye-catching.
31. Rudbeckia hirta
Similar to the typical Black-Eyed Susan but with larger, darker centers and full yellow, orange, or bi-color petals, these flowers grow up to 36 inches in height and have fruit that is edible to birds. Their bloom size can be up to four inches in width.
32. Rudbeckia
The main variety of Black-Eyed Susan is easy to grow and can bloom almost all year long. They have a daisy-like form and attract butterflies and bees due to their nectar and pollen offerings. They are also perfect almost everywhere you plant them, thanks to their sturdiness.
33. Rustic Colors
With no yellow in them, these flowers’ petals are a mix of burgundy, mahogany, and dark orange and they have centers that are almost black. Because of these colors, they are the perfect fall flower.
34. Sahara
These flowers have dense petals in various colors that can include burgundy, mahogany, dark red-orange, orange, and yellow and they grow up to 20 inches high.
Their centers are extra-wide and dark and they attract butterflies while they’re blooming. Because of their wide centers, they sometimes resemble a sunflower.
35. Shiny Coneflower
With yellow blooms that grow up to four inches in width, these flowers can grow up to six feet in height and can be sown in the wintertime. They, too, have elegant drooping petals that seem to speak to people and bees and butterflies love them.
36. Sonora
These flowers have extra-long petals in dark orange or brown and bright-yellow tips. Their centers are dark and somewhat wide and they can also be called the Yellow Ox-Eye Daisy. They are both showy and eye-catching.
37. Sputnik
With a wide bloom span, these flowers are dark-colored with large, bright-yellow tips. Their centers are fairly wide and dark-brown in color and they are part of the Gloriosa Daisy family.
38. Sweet Coneflower
With long, spiky petals in yellow that seem to be trying to reach the sky, this is an eye-catching type of Black-Eyed Susan that blooms in late summer or early fall. They are truly unique and noticeable even by people not usually interested in Black-Eyed Susans.
39. Texas Coneflower
Known as Rudbeckia texana, they have long, fairly wide, sparse yellow petals that droop downward and an unusually large center, which is tall and green with a black base.
40. Tiger Eye Gold
Characterized by dense, bright-yellow petals and dark centers, they grow up to two feet in height and work great as a cut flower. They can also be used as annuals and they are perfect in one-gallon containers.
41. Toto Gold/Lemon
The flowers listed under the name Toto are characterized by wide, dense petals that can either be solid light or dark yellow or even multi-colored in both burgundy and yellow. They are showy and beautiful.
42. Viette’s Little Suzy
Also called Blovi, these flowers are attractive to bees and birds, grow up to 18 inches in height, and are perfect as cut flowers. When people think of Black-Eyed Susans, this is the look they think of and they are perfect for containers that are three gallons or larger.
43. Western Rayless Coneflower
These flowers can grow up to five feet in height and are known for their appearance because they resemble solid black cones with no petals. Their cones are surrounded by sparse, small leaves but the highlight is their cone shape that makes them extremely unique.
Perhaps the biggest advantage of growing Black-Eyed Susans is the fact that they can grow in nearly every climate, are sturdy and hardy, grow very tall and graceful, and are low-maintenance flowers as well.
There are also therapeutic and medicinal benefits of the Black-Eyed Susan plant and if you’re interested in which variety works best for your planting zone, all you have to do is research these flowers online.