Rudbeckia hirta varieties

NC State Extension describes Rudbeckia hirta as a biennial or short-lived perennial that blooms in its first year when sown in early spring, which is why many gardeners treat it as an annual. The same page notes that it freely self-seeds and usually stays in the garden. The table below compares every variety we list side by side.

Varieties
17
Height
1–3½ ft (23–107 cm)
Hardiness
USDA zones 3–10
Form

17 Rudbeckia hirta

Compare all 17 side by side

All 17 Rudbeckia hirta varieties

A Autumn Colors black-eyed Susan flower up close on the plant Autumn Colors Black-eyed Susan with 5 inch bronze flowers ringed in red around rusty red centers. Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall (estimated) 2 ft (55–61 cm)
A Autumn Forest black-eyed Susan flower up close on the plant Autumn Forest Annual black-eyed Susan with 5 inch blooms in red, yellow and mahogany shades. Late spring, Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall18–22 in (46–56 cm)
A Cappuccino black-eyed Susan flower up close on the plant Cappuccino Black-eyed Susan with red-orange rays tipped yellow, 18 to 20 inches, June to frost. Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall18–20 in (46–51 cm)
A Cherry Brandy black-eyed Susan flower up close on the plant Cherry Brandy Compact black-eyed Susan with single wine-red flowers 3 to 4 inches across. Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall1½–2 ft (51–61 cm)
A Chim Chiminee black-eyed Susan flower up close on the plant Chim Chiminee Black-eyed Susan mix with quilled petals in gold, russet, dusty red and chocolate. Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall (estimated) 2–2½ ft (61–76 cm)
A Cherokee Sunset black-eyed Susan flower up close on the plant Cherokee Sunset AAS winning mix of mostly double black-eyed Susans in orange, gold, bronze and chocolate. Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall2–2½ ft (61–76 cm)
A Denver Daisy black-eyed Susan flower up close on the plant Denver Daisy Short-lived perennial black-eyed Susan with brown and gold blooms from midsummer to fall. Midsummer, Late summer, Fall18–20 in (46–51 cm)
A Gloriosa Daisy black-eyed Susan flower up close on the plant Gloriosa Daisy Rudbeckia hirta seed strain with large bicolor double blooms from summer to fall. Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall (estimated) 2–3 ft (61–91 cm)
A Indian Summer black-eyed Susan flower up close on the plant Indian Summer AAS winning black-eyed Susan with 4 to 7 inch golden flowers on tall, sturdy stems. Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall3–3½ ft (91–107 cm)
A Irish Eyes black-eyed Susan flower up close on the plant Irish Eyes Tall black-eyed Susan with single golden-yellow flowers around a bright green eye. Midsummer, Late summer, Fall (estimated) 2½ ft (70–80 cm)
A Irish Spring black-eyed Susan flower up close on the plant Irish Spring Rudbeckia hirta with large golden yellow flowers and green centers, June to frost. Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall2–3 ft (61–91 cm)
A Moreno black-eyed Susan flower up close on the plant Moreno Early, compact black-eyed Susan with mahogany red flowers tipped golden orange. Late spring, Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer12 in (30 cm)
A Prairie Sun black-eyed Susan flower up close on the plant Prairie Sun Black-eyed Susan with golden, primrose tipped petals around a green center. Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall2½ ft (71–81 cm)
A Rudbeckia hirta black-eyed Susan flower up close on the plant Rudbeckia hirta The native black-eyed Susan, 2 to 3 feet, yellow rays and dark brown centers from June to September. Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer2–3 ft (61–91 cm)
A Sahara black-eyed Susan flower up close on the plant Sahara Compact black-eyed Susan with double blooms in copper, brown, pale yellow and soft rose. Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall20–22 in (51–56 cm)
A Tiger Eye Gold black-eyed Susan flower up close on the plant Tiger Eye Gold Annual black-eyed Susan with golden daisies and a dark brown eye on 15 to 18 inch plants. Midsummer, Late summer, Fall (estimated) 15–18 in (38–46 cm)
A Toto black-eyed Susan flower up close on the plant Toto Compact 9-inch black-eyed Susan series with many small gold, lemon and rustic flowers. Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer (estimated) 9 in (23 cm)

How to choose

  1. Compare the Height column. NC State Extension gives 2 to 4 feet tall and 1 to 2 feet wide for the species.

  2. Check the Hardiness column against your zone. NC State Extension lists zones 3a to 8b for Rudbeckia hirta.

  3. Look at the Bloom time column. NC State Extension says the flowers first open in midsummer and, with deadheading, continue into the middle of fall.

Compare side by side

Color Sunlight
Autumn Colors Rudbeckia hirta 2 ft (55–61 cm) – Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall (estimated) Full sun
Autumn Forest Rudbeckia hirta 18–22 in (46–56 cm) – Late spring, Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall Full sun
Cappuccino Rudbeckia hirta 18–20 in (46–51 cm) – Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall Full sun
Cherokee Sunset Rudbeckia hirta 2–2½ ft (61–76 cm) 9–10 Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall Full sun
Cherry Brandy Rudbeckia hirta 1½–2 ft (51–61 cm) – Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall Full sun
Chim Chiminee Rudbeckia hirta 2–2½ ft (61–76 cm) 5–8 Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall (estimated) Full sun
Denver Daisy Rudbeckia hirta 18–20 in (46–51 cm) 5–9 Midsummer, Late summer, Fall Full sun, Part sun
Gloriosa Daisy Rudbeckia hirta 2–3 ft (61–91 cm) 3–8 Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall (estimated) Full sun, Part sun
Indian Summer Rudbeckia hirta 3–3½ ft (91–107 cm) – Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall Full sun
Irish Eyes Rudbeckia hirta 2½ ft (70–80 cm) 5–9 Midsummer, Late summer, Fall (estimated) Full sun, Part shade
Irish Spring Rudbeckia hirta 2–3 ft (61–91 cm) 3–8 Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall Full sun
Moreno Rudbeckia hirta 12 in (30 cm) – Late spring, Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer Full sun
Prairie Sun Rudbeckia hirta 2½ ft (71–81 cm) – Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall Full sun
Rudbeckia hirta Rudbeckia hirta 2–3 ft (61–91 cm) 3–8 Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer Full sun
Sahara Rudbeckia hirta 20–22 in (51–56 cm) – Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall Full sun
Tiger Eye Gold Rudbeckia hirta 15–18 in (38–46 cm) – Midsummer, Late summer, Fall (estimated) Full sun
Toto Rudbeckia hirta 9 in (23 cm) 3–9 (estimated) Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer (estimated) (estimated) Full sun

Values marked like this (estimated) are estimates.

Frequently asked questions

Is Rudbeckia hirta an annual or a perennial?

NC State Extension calls it a biennial or short-lived perennial. Because it flowers in the first year from an early spring sowing, it can be grown like an annual.

Will Rudbeckia hirta come back next year?

Often through seed. NC State Extension says the plant freely self-seeds and usually remains in the garden.