Black-eyed Susan Rudbeckia hirta 'Cherry Brandy'
ABOUT
The Cherry Brandy is a stunning plant with a distinctive appearance characterized by its bold, cherry-red flowers. These blooms are large and daisy-like in shape, featuring a dark chocolate center that contrasts beautifully with the velvety-red petals. The flowers are borne atop sturdy stems and are complemented by rich green foliage. The leaves are somewhat rough in texture and lance-shaped, adding to the plant's overall lush and robust look. This particular variety is admired for its striking flower color, which can add a splash of warmth to any garden display. With its eye-catching flowers, the Cherry Brandy can be a centerpiece in garden beds and borders or work as an accent in mixed floral arrangements.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Asteraceae.
Synonyms
Black-Eyed Susan, Gloriosa Daisy, Brown-Eyed Susan.
Common names
Rudbeckia hirta 'Cherry Brandy'.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Biennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Red
Height
2-3 feet (60-90 cm)
Spread
1-2 feet (30-60 cm)
Plant type
Herb
Hardiness zones
3-7
Native area
North America
Benefits
General Benefits- Attracts Pollinators: This plant is known for attracting bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects.
- Low Maintenance: Rudbeckia hirta 'Cherry Brandy' is relatively easy to care for, requiring minimal maintenance once established.
- Drought Tolerant: It can survive periods of low water, making it suitable for xeriscaping and drought-prone areas.
- Long Blooming: It produces flowers from early summer to fall, providing long-lasting color in the garden.
- Cut Flowers: The blooms make excellent cut flowers, adding a splash of color to indoor arrangements.
- Wildlife Habitat: Provides food and habitat for wildlife, including birds that feed on its seeds.
- Aesthetic Appeal: Adds visual interest with its deep red to maroon colored flowers.
- Easy to Grow: It's a good option for beginner gardeners due to its ease of cultivation.
- Tolerant of Poor Soil: Can thrive in a variety of soil conditions, including poor soils.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Rudbeckia hirta 'Cherry Brandy' is often used as a natural dye to provide a soft yellow to greenish hues to fabrics and yarns.
- The sturdy stems of the Black-eyed Susan can be used for weaving into small decorative items or even plant supports for other garden plants.
- Its vivid flowers attract and sustain pollinators like butterflies and bees, contributing to the pollination of nearby crops and gardens.
- The Black-eyed Susan can be crushed and added to compost piles to add nutrients as it breaks down.
- Pressed Black-eyed Susan flowers are used in botanical art and crafts for their color and texture.
- In still life photography, the Black-eyed Susan adds a splash of color and a natural feel to the composition.
- These flowers are sometimes used in educational settings to help children learn about plant biology and pollination through hands-on activities.
- During seed harvesting activities, the Black-eyed Susan's seeds can be used to feed birds, creating a bird-friendly garden environment.
- Florists may use dried Black-eyed Susan flowers in creating long-lasting floral arrangements and bouquets.
- As part of a natural play area, the non-toxic Black-eyed Susan can be used to create a sensory garden experience for children.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Black-eyed Susan is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Black-eyed Susan is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Justice: Rudbeckia hirta, also known as the Black-eyed Susan, often symbolizes justice, perhaps due to its striking appearance, which commands attention just like a fair and prominent justice system should.
- Encouragement: The bright, eye-catching colors of the Black-eyed Susan are seen as a source of encouragement and motivation, inspiring people to overcome obstacles.
- Brightness and Optimism: With its sunny yellow petals, the Black-eyed Susan represents positivity and the ability to see the bright side of life.
- Good Fortune: As a native North American wildflower, Black-eyed Susans are often associated with good luck in folklore.
WaterBlack-eyed Susan 'Cherry Brandy' prefers consistent moisture, especially during its blooming period; however, it is also relatively drought tolerant once established. Generally, water the plant deeply once a week, providing about one inch of water, which equates to approximately 0.6 gallons per square yard of soil. During hot, dry periods, you may need to water twice a week to maintain soil moisture. Make sure to water at the base of the plant to avoid wetting the foliage, which can lead to fungal diseases. It's better to water in the morning to allow any moisture on the leaves to dry out over the day.
LightBlack-eyed Susan 'Cherry Brandy' thrives in full sunlight, which means it requires at least six hours of direct sunlight daily. The ideal spot for this plant is in an area where it can receive unfiltered sunlight throughout most of the day. While it can tolerate some light shade, too much will result in fewer flowers and weaker growth.
TemperatureBlack-eyed Susan 'Cherry Brandy' is hardy and can generally tolerate temperatures as low as 30°F and as high as 85°F. However, the ideal temperature range for optimal growth is between 60°F and 75°F. Avoid exposing the plant to prolonged periods of freezing temperatures or extreme heat, as this can be detrimental to its health.
PruningBlack-eyed Susan 'Cherry Brandy' benefits from pruning to promote bushier growth and more blooms. Deadheading, or removing spent flowers, encourages the plant to produce more blooms and prevents self-seeding if not desired. Cut back the stems by one-third after the first bloom peak to promote a second bloom period. The best time for pruning is late fall or early spring to remove dead or damaged growth and to shape the plant.
CleaningAs needed
SoilBlack-eyed Susan 'Cherry Brandy' thrives in a well-draining, fertile soil mix with plenty of organic matter, such as a combination of loam, peat, and coarse sand. The ideal pH for this plant is slightly acidic to neutral, ranging from 6.0 to 7.0.
RepottingBlack-eyed Susan 'Cherry Brandy' does not require frequent repotting and can generally be repotted every 2 to 3 years or when it outgrows its current pot.
Humidity & MistingBlack-eyed Susan 'Cherry Brandy' is adaptable to a range of humidity conditions and typically does well in average outdoor humidity without specific humidity requirements.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Place in bright indirect light and well-draining soil.
Outdoor
Full sun to partial shade in well-drained soil.
Hardiness zone
3-9 USDA
Life cycleBlack-eyed Susan 'Cherry Brandy' typically begins its life cycle when seeds are sown in the soil, often requiring stratification to break dormancy. Upon germination, seedlings emerge and establish a foundational root system. The plant develops a rosette of leaves in its juvenile stage, focusing on accumulating energy and growth before flowering. Entering maturity, 'Cherry Brandy' produces tall stems with deep red to maroon flowers, featuring a dark brown central cone, attracting pollinators during the blooming period in summer to early fall. After pollination, seeds develop in the cone and are dispersed when the flower head dries, completing the reproductive cycle. As a perennial, the plant may enter a period of dormancy in the winter, with the roots surviving underground, ready to initiate a new growth cycle come spring.
PropogationPropogation time
Late Spring-Early Summer
The most popular method of propagation for the Black-eyed Susan 'Cherry Brandy' is through seed sowing. Seeds can be sown directly in the garden after the danger of frost has passed, typically in late spring or early summer. However, for an earlier bloom, seeds can be started indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost date. To do this, press the seeds lightly into a soil mix in flats or pots, and cover them with a thin layer of soil no more than 1/4 inch (about 6 mm) deep. Keep the soil moist but not waterlogged, and at a temperature of around 70°F (approximately 21°C). The seeds usually germinate within 7 to 14 days. Once seedlings have developed a couple of true leaves and are strong enough to handle, they can be transplanted outdoors to their final growing position, maintaining a spacing of about 18 inches (approximately 45 cm) between plants.
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