Black Eyed Susans and False Sunflowers

Happy September! I’ve been lollygagging a tad this summer – poking around my garden in Southern Ontario, and doing the same at our Northern cottage. With cooler weather arriving in August and September, the yellow perennial flowers seem to be taking centre stage in my gardens.

Is it possible to have a “flower bias”? Because if it is, I’m guilty! I’m hooked on pink and blue perennials; they make me melt (or it could be sunstroke). The mere thought of a garden filled with pink and blue blooms just sends me. But here’s the catch—yellow perennials, like Rudbeckia (Black-Eyed Susans), and False Sunflowers, are the true workhorses of my garden. They thrive with little attention, crowding out both weeds and, occasionally, my beloved pink and blue flowers. Yet, they persist, season after season.

Yellow Perennial Flowers

Oh yes, dainty Coreopsis and the happy Blanket flowers provide even more yellow and persist into September, but the Black Eyed Susans and False Sunflower comfortably dominate.

“Why so grumpy about Yellow flowers?” you say…. It’s not the colour. I love yellow in many forms, from mums to daisies, and I even find myself painting things yellow. But perhaps it’s because these vibrant yellow blooms appear just as my garden starts winding down for the year, with my favorite pinks and blues fading into the background. Yellow flowers tell me that fall is around the corner and I don’t even want to think about that!

Years ago, I was gifted some Black-Eyed Susans and False Sunflowers. Since then, they’ve become a permanent part of my garden’s story. They’ve survived, multiplied, and come along with me to both my Southern and Northern gardens.

Rudbeckia’s Early Growth: A Case of Mistaken Identity

At first, I mistook Rudbeckia’s tall, sturdy stems and large green leaves for Purple Coneflowers (Echinacea). It’s an easy mistake—both belong to the Aster family, along with another garden favorite, the False Sunflower (Heliopsis helianthoides). All three share similar foliage and growing habits, which only adds to the confusion early in the season.

But once Rudbeckia blooms, there’s no mistaking it. With its bold, dark centre surrounded by bright petals, this perennial—often called Black-Eyed Susan—brings shades of yellow, gold, and even orange from mid-summer through fall. Native to North America, Rudbeckia’s resilient nature makes it a garden essential.

Varieties of Rudbeckia for Your Garden

Rudbeckia comes in a variety of sizes, from compact plants standing 1.5 feet tall to towering giants reaching 6 feet. In my Southern garden, I enjoy a 3 to 4 foot variety of Rudbeckia Hirta, which is kind of middle of the garden height for me. In my Northern garden I have some Hirta, along with some Rudbeckia fulgida Goldsturm. Goldsturm is a little shorter – about 1 to 2 feet and is said to be hardier and longer living than Hirta – but for me – they both work, it’s just a matter of how tall and where I want my plants.

While most Rudbeckia are perennials, you can also find annual varieties, especially in regions like Mexico and the Southwestern United States.

Echinacea vs. Rudbeckia: What’s the Difference?

Both Rudbeckia and Echinacea are drought-tolerant, sun-loving plants, but their flowers set them apart. Echinacea typically blooms in pink, purple, or white, while Rudbeckia is known for its bold yellows and golds. However, there are exceptions—Echinacea can bloom in yellow, and you may find Rudbeckia in pink! Despite their differences, both plants thrive on minimal care, making them ideal for any garden.

In my gardens, Rudbeckia blooms later and tolerates cooler temperatures compared to Echinacea. Its long-lasting blooms offer a splash of bright color as the garden transitions into fall, a time when my beloved pink and blue flowers begin to fade.

False Sunflowers: A Perfect Companion for Rudbeckia

Another member of the Aster family, False Sunflower (Heliopsis helianthoides), is often mistaken for Rudbeckia due to its similar foliage and golden blooms. Like Rudbeckia, False Sunflowers thrive in full sun, well-drained soil, and require little water. These tall, striking plants add height and a bold touch of color to any garden. False Sunflower is very tall (mine are 5 to 6 feet in height) on straw like stems. They would need support if they were planted in an open area, but in my gardens they are near a wall and surround my tall Rose of Sharon shrub. They grow so densely here that they crowd out weeds (and my Phlox, but oh well) and cover the bare base of my old shrub, while the top happily blooms. No support is required here!

While the False Sunflowers hide the base of the Rose of Sharon, the thick Black Eyed Susans cover my Gas Meter and they work together to cover my drainage downspout.

Though I may have been hesitant about yellow flowers at first, Rudbeckia and False Sunflowers have earned their place in my garden – even if they have taken it by force. Their extended flowering period, minimal care requirements, and ability to attract pollinators make them invaluable to my garden. Plus, they’re tough enough to handle the occasional trampling by my 100-pound Goldendoodle!

Growing Rudbeckia and False Sunflowers

In my gardens, the original plants were started by divisions. Black Eyed Susans are particularly easy to dig up and divide into clumps to plant elsewhere in the fall and spring – and when I feel daring, even in the summer.

False Sunflowers are a little fussier when dividing – partly because the plants are so tall, and the stems and roots can get quite woody. I divide these spring and fall – and cut the plants back drastically to get at some good pieces. They need to be shown who is the boss!

Both plants start well from seeds – they do self seed freely, and I also collect the seeds from the blooms as they dry out. Both types of seed require a “winter” to germinate – so they need cold stratification if started indoors, and they both require sunlight to germinate, so should not be buried too deeply.

Why You Should Grow Rudbeckia and False Sunflowers

If you’re looking for low-maintenance, hardy plants that bloom from summer to fall, both Rudbeckia and False Sunflowers are excellent choices. Their adaptability to various conditions, from full sun to partial shade, makes them perfect for gardens like mine. Beyond their beauty, they attract essential pollinators like bees and butterflies, and who doesn’t like that?

Are you a fan of yellow flowers or still on the fence?

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