Black Eye Susan?

Question

When the black eye susan has bloomed for the year, can I cut them back?

I have had the black eye susan for a couple of years, but when the blooms are gone and the stems are brown they look ragged.

Answer 1

The Black Eyed Susan, Rudbeckia hirta, is typically an annual wildflower, but some varieties are perennial or biennial (flowering in its second year, then dying). These native prairie flowers can be found growing wild in almost every state, with the exception of the dry desert areas of the Southwest.
This bright yellow,daisy-like flower grows to a height of 24-36 inches and is excellent to use in cut flower arrangements, and for growing in your Butterfly Garden.





Rudbeckia hirta is also commonly called a Gloriosa Daisy. It is hardy in USDA zones 3-10. The plant is very adaptable to almost any type soil, but should be grown in full sun and watered regularly to achieve the best flowering performance. Deadheading spent flowers will prolong the blooming period considerably.
Perennial varieties of Rudbeckia may be propagated by division during their dormant season. All varieties can be easily grown from seed which should be sown 2 weeks before the last expected frost, or started indoors 6-8 weeks before planting them outdoors in the Spring. Rudbeckia seeds require light to germinate, so lightly press them into the soil surface without covering them up.

Answer 2

Absolutely!

Be pro-active. If they look bad cut'em back. Typically I recommend cutting back perennials in the very late fall, but in the case of Rudbeckia, I make an exception. It's super hardy, and will survive even awful abuse.

If you dead head your plants (remove spent flowers), you can keep it in bloom longer, and minimize the "ugly" appearance.

Give it a dose of water soluble fertilizer in the spring (always follow the directions), and any thing you might have done to set it back, will be forgotten!

Good luck-

Answer 3

I already cut most of mine back. I'm in Michigan. They come back every year bigger and better. Before I do cut them though I get all the seeds I can and spread them around. Of course the stem needs to have browned so the seeds are ready. I get more flowers every year.

Answer 4

I also have many black eyed susans, and every year I cut them way down, they come back every year more beautiful than ever.

Answer 5

We've all ready cut ours back. We do it evey year when the blooms fade.

We live in East Texas

Answer 6

Wait until later in the year, when it's cold.

http://www.garden.org/plantguide/?q=show&id=2057

Answer 7

perennials