Wild Flower Rudbeckia

Wild Flowers; Rudbeckia, Asteraceae Black -eyed Susan; Cone flower

Like yarrow, Rudbeckia comes from the Asteraceae, aster daisy family. Deer and elk rarely eat it while butterflies and bees are attracted to the abundant pollen. This picture was taken in the west corner of your drain field and was standing alone 18 inches high. Here in Washington at Osprey these bright flowers start blooming in hot weather July or August. At your home in New Hampshire late June seemed to be hot enough for the Black-eyed Susan in your garden. Rudbeckia make great cut flowers and cutting will prolong their bloom, but don’t pick them all because they can be propagated by their dry seeds in the fall. Leave some of the strongest blossoms for seeding next years plants. Either allow the seed to fall in place or collect seed in late fall after the flower head has become dry. Collect seeds before the autumn rains start by rubbing with gloved fingers on the dark center of the flower. This can be hard. The flower heads are hard and the seed is small. I like to sprinkle the seeds immediately. I scratch bare earth and sprinkle the seeds and cover lightly with loose soil. I have had great luck with this method provided I choose a good location where the new Rudbeckia will get full sun and some moisture as it is not as drought tolerate as other asteraceae family members. These flowers add lots of bright yellow color all throughout a wild flower or cut flower garden. Enjoy!