Black-Eyed Susan

Seed Mix: None

Rudbeckia hirta

The Black Eyed Susan is endemic to most of the continental United States. A member of the Asteraceae family, it is related to Echnicaes, Sunflowers, and the Cosmos flower. This is one of the largest families of flowering plants and supports an abundance of insect life. The Black Eyed Susan is host to the larvae of Gorgone Checkerspot (Chlosyne gorgone) and Bordered Patch (Chlosyne lacinia). It is an upland meadow plant rarely found in wet soils.

The Black Eyed Susan is a bold and iconic native flower of the Mid-Atlantic region and has been adopted as the state flower of Maryland as it reflects the colors of the Calvert family (the Lords of Baltimore). These Flowers are woven into a blanket and bestowed upon the winning horse of the Preakness. One of the three races in the prestigious American Triple Crown. The flower’s place in Maryland culture is not to be diminished by the fact that it is not even in bloom during the races and is therefore substituted in by painted mums. However, this is rarely acknowledged to keep the lore and love of the flower alive.

Butterfly shelter

Butterflies not only bring vibrant colors to our gardens and are used as a key indicator of environmental quality, but they also help in the pollination process, thus improving biodiversity. These shelters have been designed to offer butterflies a warm, dry and safe place that protects them from predators at different times of the year.

Further resources