The Mystery Plant’s Flowers
I’ve wondered for over a year what the mystery plant’s flowers would tell me it is.
So finally I have the flowers to share with you.
This flowering plant appears to be a Black-eyed Susan. As I’ve never planted this plant before, I didn’t recognize it by the leaves.
Pollinators love Black-eyed Susans (Rudbeckia hirta). It generally blooms from June to August.
The “black eye” of this plant refers to the dark brown center of the flower.
It is a member of the aster family and native to eastern North America. It’s become naturalized in Zones 3 to 9.
Some species have additional names, such as Gloriosa daisies. But they all belong to the Rudbeckia genus.
Info On This Plant:
Black-eyed Susan’s grow 1-3 feet tall or more. The leaves span 6 inches, the stalks are over 8 inches long, and flowers have a diameter of 2-3 inches.
Butterflies and bees are attracted to the flowers for the nectar. As they drink this nectar, they move pollen from one plant to another. This causes it to grow seeds that move about in the wind.
These plants are sun worshipers. So I’m not sure how well it’s going to do in the somewhat sunny/somewhat shady spot.
I understand that Black-eyed Susan’s are wonderful cut flowers. So I look forward to bringing the flowers inside to put in a jar or vase.
As it is, my current favorite cut flowers are zinnias, and mine are not yet blooming.
Every day I go out to see if there’s a little round bud in the center of the leaves that indicate my zinnias are about to bloom.
Where Black-Eyed Susan’s Do Well:
Black-eyed Susan’s do well in all landscapes. Borders, butterfly gardens, or containers.
My Black-eyed Susan plant is planted close to the two Monarda Bee Balm plants I ordered in the spring. They are near the sidewalk for everyone to see and enjoy.
Supposedly Black-eyed Susan’s don’t mind being neglected and are tough plants. We shall see.
A Perennial Black-Eyed Susan Plant:
Some varieties of Black-eyed Susan’s are perennial plants. However, the annual varieties can reappear every year if you don’t deadhead them.
Mine must be a perennial, as it died back to the ground in the wintertime. That was after the rabbits chomped on it steadily, and before it got cold outside.
Oh, I look forward to watching this little plant grow and spread it’s “wings!” I finally know what you are, little mystery plant.
And I’m so pleased to meet you.
I planted some Gloriosa Daisy seeds probably 30 years ago. They have re-seeded every year since so I move them all over the yard. Hope you enjoy yours and they re-seed for you.
I should have blooming Black-Eyed Susans by now but this spring we’ve got a bumper crop of rabbits and baby bunnies have taken over my yard. They have eaten the Susans flower-heads off and they are all stunted in growth – the ones that the rabbits can reach. I never had this happen before. I tried putting garlic, black pepper and even cinnamon around and on the plants but that hasn’t deterred the rabbits from eating them. I had one zinnia, a beautiful deep red color that has re-seeded itself for the past 2 years – and one early morning about a month ago when I went to water it where it was “hiding” behind a hosta in one of my front beds, it was totally eaten right down to the ground. She didn’t spring back and start growing again after several weeks of hoping that would happen. A neighbor told me the rabbits have even attacked her hostas. I have 10 hostas of different kinds around my garden beds and so far I haven’t seen much damage, a leaf left behind here or there as if the rabbit took a chomp and didn’t like the taste. Lots of damage in the gardens this year because of the rabbits. I never minded them being in the yard before, but this year is too much. Now I understand why people use b-b guns.
Love your mystery flower! It’s so sunny and cheerful looking.
Please post a picture, if you make a vace full of flowers. I’d love to see that.
Love them! They grew wild on the country property.
They remind me of mini sunflowers.
Brenda, I hope that you have had a wonderful week.
I love watching your garden grow. I don’t have any black eyed Susans but I have some wildflowers that look like them.
I love zinnias too but the deer are eating mine.
Have a great night.
I bet you are doing the “happy” dance. How wonderful your mystery plant is Black Eyed Susans.
Those, and with your Zinnias popping up, you are going to get some pretty bouquets for the house.
I like them both, but I don’t have either planted this year. I envy yours.
Enjoy, and we, your readers, will enjoy your photos of them. Thanks for that..
Hugs from Wisconsin.
I’m very glad to meet your mystery plant, as well. I love Black Eyed Susans – they “force” me to stop and take note.
My first comment disappeared so I will start over…we have black eyed susans here in Wi….they spread everywhere…the woods and field across from us are full of them from our house…our neighbor now has them along his tree line… the Japanese beetles love them and will shred them to nothing…do not know if you get them down there. We R still in drought conditions but the humidity has lessened…we had a wind storm the other night with hardly any rain…took a big branch out of our favorite shade tree we call the Momma Maple due to her size…scary but all is well. All our perrenials are trying to survive…we keep watering….annuals have been on the struggle bus this year but doing my best…blessings 💕
Thanks for the post….I’m off to pick up some black eyed susans. I did check to make sure they would thrive in the SF Bay area,,,we have so many micro climates here…..my deck is full sun and they should be very happy, and their color, goes well with the rest of my plants..and color scheme….as always, love your posts and your beautiful garden….!!
Zinnias are my favorite, too, but they don’t bloom here until late, late August and September. I wish the flowers showed up earlier since they’re so colorful and look great inside in vases. We have tons of Black Eyed Susans in my yard though and they’re blooming now. They’re super hearty, flower all summer, spread like wildfire and come back year after year after year which is rare around here. Enjoy your new blooms!