Species of the Week: The Black-eyed Susan

Rudbeckia Hirta

The Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) is a North American daisy-like flower. This cheerful, widespread flower is bright yellow with a dark center is its claim-to-fame as well as being the Maryland state flower since 1918. They tolerate wet, moist, dry, sandy and clayey soils, with little pest issues and are drought tolerant. They are deer resistant, like full sun or part shade and most importantly in today’s world, attracts pollinators, (native bees) butterflies and songbirds.

United States honey bees pollinate U.S. crops such as berries, apples, cantaloupes, cucumbers, almonds, to name a few for an annual total of $15 Billion. Plus, another $150 Million in U.S. honey. To keep American tables stocked with high-quality produce and our agriculture industry running smoothly, it is critical to keep the bee population safe. Since they reproduce via seeds, get permission to pop-off a head and distribute the seeds in your garden later this fall, after they finish blooming!

#flowers #BlackeyedSusan #Species #Honeybees #Maryland #EQR