Rudbeckia triloba aka Brown Eyed Susan

Taxonomy

Rudbeckia triloba, also known as the browneyed or brown-eyed susan, thin-leaved coneflower or three-leaved coneflower, is a bushy biennial or short-lived perennial that can reach heights of up to 1m. It has dark red stems and roughly hairy leaves. Native to the central and eastern United States, this flowering plant belongs to the Asteraceae family and is commonly found in old fields or along roadsides. It is also cultivated as an ornamental due to its profusion of yellow, daisy-like flowers that bloom from late summer into early autumn. These flowers, measuring around 5cm across, consist of golden yellow ray florets surrounding a raised, black cone. This particular cultivar is disease-resistant and its pollinator-friendly flowers make it suitable for cutting. Rudbeckia triloba thrives in average, moist, well-drained soils and typically grows to a height of 3 to 5 feet. Its leaves, which often have three lobes, are 2 to 4 inches in size. The plant produces 2 to 3 inch yellow flowers with dark purple-brown center disks. Additionally, a rosette of leaves originating at the base of the stem remains throughout the winter.

Common names

Brown Eyed Susan, Thin Leaf Coneflower, Three Lobe Coneflower

How to care for Brown Eyed Susan

Difficulty

Even if you don't have a green thumb, you can successfully care for Brown Eyed Susan due to its easy-going nature.

Water

Brown Eyed Susan should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Soil

Brown Eyed Susan loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.

Lighting

Brown Eyed Susan thrives in bright and direct sunlight. To ensure your plant receives enough light to survive, place it less than one foot from a window. The current weather in your area may affect the placement in your home. For example, if you live in a region that has longer and more intense periods of sunlight, then you may want to place the plant farther away from the window to avoid direct sunlight and reduce the risk of sunburn. Alternatively, if you live in a region with relatively milder temperatures and less intense sunlight, then you may be able to place the plant closer to the window for increased exposure. Ultimately, the current weather in your area should be taken into consideration when determining the best placement for your Three Lobe Coneflower.

Toxicity

The toxicity level of this plant has not been officially confirmed by Ploi. If there is a possibility of ingestion of plant material with an uncertain toxicity by you, a family member, or a pet, it is advisable to seek the assistance of a medical professional.

Fertilizer

Repotting the Brown Eyed Susan is necessary either when it has doubled in size or once every year, whichever happens first. With fresh potting soil replenished annually, the plant will receive all the necessary nutrients, rendering the use of fertilizer unnecessary. Keep in mind that the source of a plant's energy is the sun, not fertilizer.

Growth-pattern

The Brown Eyed Susan is a clump-forming species, with new growth originating from the soil surrounding the main plant.


More info:
Wikipedia