Black-Eyed Susans (Rudbeckia hirta) are favorites among new gardeners- they are prolific and very easy to grow and loved by pollinators like bees and butterflies. Black-eyed Susans have a biennial (2 year) life cycle, but often self seed, acting more like perennials once established.
Black-Eyed Susan is also an excellent nurse crop for native seed mixes, valued for its fast germination, rapid canopy cover, and ability to suppress weeds while slower-establishing species take hold. As a short-lived perennial or biennial, it delivers strong first-year performance without creating long-term competition, naturally thinning as the planting matures. When used as a nurse crop, we recommend the following application rates:
Recommended nurse-crop application rate:
• 0.5 kg per hectare
• ≈ 200 g per acre
• ≈ 23 g per 5,000 ft²
This application rate provides reliable early cover, erosion protection, and visual impact, while helping reduce overall mix costs and supporting successful establishment of diverse native plantings.
Growing Instructions
No pre-treatment required. Sow seed at soil surface. Do not let seedling dry out while it is establishing.