Black-eyed Susan
Rudbeckia
An ornamental plant, planted September to June, or sown March to May.
In September: cut back the black-eyed Susan. It can be planted bare-root now. Cover your skin when handling it: the hairs can irritate skin.
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Black-eyed Susan, month by month
Bar: the usual months. Sprout: this month.
| Sowing, planting or job | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | 2027Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sow under cover. | none | none | none | none | none | none | usual | usual | none | none | none | none |
| Sow outdoors. | none | none | none | none | none | none | none | none | usual | none | none | none |
| Plant out. | none | none | none | none | none | none | none | none | usual | usual | none | none |
| Plant a pot-grown black-eyed Susan. | none | none | none | none | none | none | usual | usual | usual | none | none | none |
| Plant a bare-root black-eyed Susan. | usual | usual | usual | usual | usual | usual | usual | none | none | none | none | none |
| Lift and divide the black-eyed Susan. | none | none | none | none | none | none | usual | usual | none | none | none | none |
| Mulch the black-eyed Susan. | none | none | none | none | none | none | usual | usual | usual | none | none | none |
| Deadhead the black-eyed Susan. | none | none | none | none | none | none | none | none | none | usual | usual | usual |
| Cut back the black-eyed Susan. | usual | usual | usual | none | none | none | none | none | none | none | none | none |
What to do, and when
The usual months for a UK garden. Your own plan gives the week.
Handle it with care
Cover your skin when handling it: the hairs can irritate skin.
Weaker source: Poison Control (outside the UK).
Sowing and planting
Sow under cover March to April, on the surface. Moderate sources: RHS and Sarah Raven.
Sow outdoors in May, 1.5cm deep, 45cm apart. Moderate sources: RHS and Mr Fothergill’s. Weaker source for the spacing: Seeds to Sow.
Plant out May to June, 30cm apart. Moderate sources: RHS and Mr Fothergill’s.
Plant a pot-grown black-eyed Susan March to May, 15 to 20cm apart. Moderate sources: RHS and Farmer Gracy.
Plant a bare-root black-eyed Susan September to March. Moderate source: RHS.
Lift and divide the black-eyed Susan
Every 3 to 5 years, not every year.
Usually March to April. Moderate source: RHS.
Mulch the black-eyed Susan
Use well-rotted manure or garden compost to keep moisture around the roots.
Usually March to May. Moderate source: RHS.
Deadhead the black-eyed Susan
Usually June to August. Moderate source: Farmer Gracy.
Cut back the black-eyed Susan
Cut the stems down to about 5cm above the soil; it regrows by itself in spring.
Usually September to November. Moderate source: Farmer Gracy.
What the source words mean
Moderate: another trusted UK source, or the RHS on its group.Weaker: a blog, a forum, a small website or a page from outside the UK. Treat it as a guide.
Add black-eyed Susan to my plot
Every line above names the page it comes from. Where we found no good source for a job, we left it out. Where the name “Black-eyed Susan” comes from.