What native plant is bright-colored, long-blooming, drought tolerant, and attracts pollinators?
From summer to fall, these long-blooming plants add brightness and cheer to our local landscapes. Rudbeckia, commonly known as Black or Brown-Eyed Susans and Coneflowers, are native to various parts of the U.S. The most widespread and commonly seen type is Rudbeckia hirta.
Habitat: These tough plants can tolerate dry, full sun and you’ll often see these wildflowers along a road or field. Their hardiness can be used to help stabilize soil, minimizing erosion.
Form & Flowers:Rudbeckia hirta usually bloom July – October around Lowell. They are biennial (bloom the 2nd year), but readily self-seed, so you’ll actually see these bright yellow flowers each year. R. triloba is a similar species, also reaching up to 3 feet tall, with 3-lobed leaves. Other species like R. fulgida are perennial, have denser and darker green foliage, and are clump-forming. Rudbeckia can be found in most garden centers and R. hirta are also easy to grow from seed. Hirta means hairy, so it can be more easily identified by its fuzzy leaves and stems.
Faunal Associations: Solitary bees, butterflies, and other insects are attracted to the nectar. R. hirta is also a larval host plant to several butterfly species, including the Bordered/Sunflower Patch and the Silvery Checkerspot. Many birds enjoy eating the insects who benefit from the plant, and the ripened seeds are available to them later in the season. Our state bird, the Black-capped Chickadee, along with American Goldfinch, Eastern Towhee, Northern Cardinal, and White-Breasted Nuthatch are most commonly attracted to black-eyed Susans, along with insectivorous birds. Source.
Let us know if you’ve seen Rudbeckia in places like Jollene Dubner Park or have them in your yard or neighborhood!
(originally featured as August 2019 Flora & Fauna Friday)
