AdewebsIf there’s one plant that can lift the spirits of a tired gardener at the end of a long day, it’s the Black-Eyed Susan. Those cheerful yellow petals with dark centers are like little bursts of sun, no matter where you plant them. I’ve been growing them around my fields and house edges for years, and they’ve never failed to make me smile.
Sometimes when folks come by the farm, they’re surprised by how many kinds there actually are. They think Black-Eyed Susan means just one flower. Not so. There’s a whole rainbow of shapes, sizes and bloom habits. Let me walk you through my personal list of 21 top varieties so you can pick the right one for your patch.
A Relatable Scenario from My Garden
Last summer my niece visited from London. She’s used to tiny balcony pots, not wide fields. She asked me to help her pick a flower that would give quick color but not demand too much fuss. We knelt by a row of seedlings together and I handed her a packet of black eyed susan seeds – double golden gloriosa. She raised an eyebrow at the name but sowed them anyway. By midseason she had a pot spilling with double golden blooms, and she’s been hooked ever since.
That’s the magic of this plant. It’s forgiving, reliable, and a little show-offy when it blooms.
Why Black-Eyed Susans Are a Farmer’s Friend
They’re tough as nails. They don’t mind poor soil. They bring in pollinators like bees and butterflies. They fill gaps where other flowers sulk. And they self-seed gently, which means next year you’ll often get a free encore.
In the US and UK alike, Black-Eyed Susans handle weather swings pretty well. They’re not fussy about being in a big farm border or a small town garden.
21 Varieties You’ll Love
I’ll give you my rundown, with a few notes on each. Some are tall, some dwarf. Some bloom early, some late. A mix of them will keep your beds glowing for months.
1. Double Golden Gloriosa
A fan favorite. Fully double blooms, rich golden yellow, with that dark button center peeking through. Plant from black eyed susan seeds – double golden gloriosa and you’ll get sturdy plants about 24 inches tall. Great in pots or borders.
2. Goldsturm
Classic and reliable. Big golden daisies on upright stems. Blooms mid to late summer.
3. Cherokee Sunset
A mix of orange, bronze, red and yellow petals, some semi-double. Makes a lively show.
4. Little Goldstar
A dwarf form perfect for edging paths or containers. Only about a foot high but packed with blooms.
5. Indian Summer
Huge golden blooms, some reaching 9 inches across. A showstopper.
6. Prairie Sun
Yellow petals with a soft greenish center. Looks like sunshine caught at dawn.
7. Toto Lemon
Compact plants with lemon yellow blooms. Great for window boxes.
8. Toto Rustic
Same size as Toto Lemon but with rich orange and bronze petals.
9. Maya
Double golden pompom style blooms. Very cheerful and a bit quirky.
10. Sonora
Big flowers with deep mahogany rings around the center. Adds drama to beds.
11. Irish Eyes
Bright golden petals with a striking green center.
12. Becky Mix
A colorful seed mix with yellows, bronzes and reds. Good for wildflower style plantings.
13. Green Eyes
Soft yellow petals with a pale green center. Looks fresh and unusual.
14. City Garden
A compact blend for small urban plots. Blooms nonstop from midseason.
15. Rudbeckia triloba
Technically a different species but with masses of small blooms that cover the plant. Great for naturalistic plantings.
16. Rudbeckia subtomentosa ‘Little Henry’
Quilled petals, fragrant, and blooms late.
17. Autumn Colors Mix
Red, bronze, yellow, and gold blooms on tall stems.
18. Denver Daisy
Large blooms with a bold red ring around the center.
19. Early Bird Gold
Blooms earlier than most. Great if you’re impatient for color.
20. Goldilocks
Semi-double blooms on bushy plants. Another good one for pots.
21. Cloth of Gold
Tall, late-blooming, great for the back of borders.
Comparison Table of 21 Black-Eyed Susan Varieties
| Variety | Height (Approx.) | Bloom Time | Color / Style |
|---|---|---|---|
| Double Golden Gloriosa | 24 in (60 cm) | Mid to late summer | Fully double, rich golden yellow with dark center |
| Goldsturm | 24–30 in (60–75 cm) | Mid to late summer | Classic golden yellow petals, dark eye |
| Cherokee Sunset | 24–30 in (60–75 cm) | Summer to autumn | Mix of orange, bronze, red and yellow, semi-double |
| Little Goldstar | 12–16 in (30–40 cm) | Summer | Compact golden blooms |
| Indian Summer | 30–36 in (75–90 cm) | Mid summer | Huge golden blooms up to 9 in across |
| Prairie Sun | 24–30 in (60–75 cm) | Summer to early autumn | Yellow petals with greenish center |
| Toto Lemon | 12–14 in (30–35 cm) | Summer | Lemon yellow blooms, compact plant |
| Toto Rustic | 12–14 in (30–35 cm) | Summer | Orange and bronze petals |
| Maya | 20–24 in (50–60 cm) | Summer | Double golden pompom style blooms |
| Sonora | 20–24 in (50–60 cm) | Summer | Large blooms with deep mahogany ring |
| Irish Eyes | 20–24 in (50–60 cm) | Summer | Golden petals with green center |
| Becky Mix | 24–30 in (60–75 cm) | Summer | Mix of yellows, bronzes and reds |
| Green Eyes | 20–24 in (50–60 cm) | Summer | Soft yellow petals with pale green center |
| City Garden | 14–18 in (35–45 cm) | Summer | Compact blend for urban plots |
| Rudbeckia triloba | 36 in (90 cm) | Late summer | Masses of small golden blooms |
| Rudbeckia subtomentosa ‘Little Henry’ | 24–30 in (60–75 cm) | Late summer | Quilled petals, fragrant |
| Autumn Colors Mix | 30–36 in (75–90 cm) | Late summer to autumn | Red, bronze, yellow and gold blooms |
| Denver Daisy | 24–30 in (60–75 cm) | Mid to late summer | Large blooms with bold red ring |
| Early Bird Gold | 18–24 in (45–60 cm) | Early summer | Blooms earlier than most |
| Goldilocks | 20–24 in (50–60 cm) | Summer | Semi-double blooms on bushy plants |
| Cloth of Gold | 36 in (90 cm) | Late summer to autumn | Tall, late-blooming with golden flowers |
How to Use This Table
Not sure which Black-Eyed Susan to start with? Just run your eyes down the first column. The variety names show you the plant’s character — like Double Golden Gloriosa, the one folks often call “black eyed susan seeds – double golden gloriosa,” famous for its fully double golden blooms.
Next, glance at the height and bloom time. If you’ve only got a small patio bed, stick with the compact types like Little Goldstar or Toto Lemon. If you’ve got a big back border and love a wild look, go for taller ones like Cloth of Gold or Indian Summer.
Finally, check the color and style notes. Some are pure gold, others have deep mahogany rings or even green eyes. Mix and match to keep your garden buzzing with pollinators from spring into autumn.
This table’s meant to be your quick cheat sheet so you don’t have to scroll back and forth. Pick one or two varieties that speak to you and give them a try. Isn’t it more fun when you can compare them side by side like this?
Planting Tips for Success
Sow seeds in spring after frost or start indoors a few weeks early. They like full sun. If you’re using black eyed susan seeds – double golden gloriosa, scatter them on prepared soil and press lightly. Don’t bury them too deep; they need light to germinate.
Water gently until they’re established. After that they’re quite drought tolerant. Space plants so they’ve got breathing room. Overcrowding invites mildew.
Do They Shed?
Many readers ask me if Black-Eyed Susans shed badly. They don’t shed like trees losing leaves. They’ll drop petals naturally as blooms fade, but it’s not a big mess. Deadheading spent flowers will keep things tidy and encourage more blooms.
If you let seed heads form, birds will thank you in winter. Goldfinches especially love them.
Practical Farmer Tips
- Mulch lightly to keep soil moist but don’t pile mulch against stems.
- Feed with compost once a season.
- They don’t need heavy fertilizer.
- Cut back in late fall or leave seed heads for wildlife.
- Divide clumps every few years if they get crowded.
And don’t be afraid to experiment. Mix tall varieties with dwarf ones for layers of color. Combine with ornamental grasses for a prairie look.
FAQs
Will Black-Eyed Susans come back every year?
Most are perennials or short-lived perennials that self-seed. You’ll often see them pop up again.
Do they need full sun?
Yes. They bloom best in at least 6 hours of sun a day.
Are they good for pollinators?
Absolutely. Bees, butterflies, and even hummingbirds love them.
Can I grow them in pots?
Yes. Dwarf forms like Little Goldstar or planting black eyed susan seeds – double golden gloriosa in large containers works beautifully.
Do deer eat them?
They’re not deer’s first choice, though hungry deer might sample them.
How do I extend the bloom season?
Stagger plantings, deadhead regularly, and mix early and late varieties.
A Few Extra Notes
In the US, Black-Eyed Susans are often seen along country roadsides. In the UK, they’re more of a garden border favorite. Either way, they bring a bit of wild charm without being unruly.
If you’re starting from scratch, buy a few varieties as plants and also sow some seed mixes. That way you’ll get instant color and future self-seeding.
And don’t forget to enjoy them indoors too. Cut stems last well in vases.
A Warm Closing Thought
Black-Eyed Susans are the kind of flower that makes even a rough patch of soil look cheerful. They’re tough but kind-hearted, if a plant can be called that. Whether you choose sturdy Goldsturm, frilly Maya, or the glowing black eyed susan seeds – double golden gloriosa, you’ll be adding little suns to your garden that keep on shining.
Which variety do you think will be the first to brighten your garden this season?
