Black-eyed Susan 'Marmalade' Rudbeckia hirta 'Marmalade'
ABOUT
'Marmalade' is a short-lived perennial, usually grown as an annual, to 45cm in height, with bristly stems and lance-shaped leaves. The classic daisy flowerheads are golden-yellow with central, dark-brown cones and appear from mid-summer through to autumn
About this plant
NamesFamily
Asteraceae.
Synonyms
Black-Eyed Susan, Gloriosa Daisy, Yellow Oxeye Daisy, Brown Betty, Golden Jerusalem, Poorland Daisy, Yellow Daisy, Coneflower.
Common names
Rudbeckia hirta 'Marmorata', Rudbeckia serotina, Rudbeckia brittonii, Helianthus hirtus, Rudbeckia bicolor, Dracopis hirta
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Biennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Orange
Height
2 feet (60 cm)
Spread
1 foot (30 cm)
Plant type
Herb
Hardiness zones
3-7
Native area
North America
Benefits
General Benefits- Attracts Pollinators: Rudbeckia hirta 'Marmalade', commonly known as Black-eyed Susan, is highly attractive to bees, butterflies, and other beneficial pollinators, supporting biodiversity in the garden.
- All-American Selection: This plant has won awards for its performance, adaptability, and beauty, making it a trusted choice for gardeners.
- Drought Tolerant: Once established, the Black-eyed Susan is able to withstand periods of drought, making it suitable for xeriscaping or low-water gardens.
- Long Blooming: With a long flowering season, typically from early summer to early autumn, it provides continuous color and interest in the landscape.
- Easy to Grow: This plant is known for being low-maintenance and easy to grow, perfect for novice gardeners or those with limited time.
- Wildlife Support: Besides pollinators, the seeds of Black-eyed Susan are a food source for birds, especially finches, throughout the fall and winter.
- Landscape Versatility: It's suitable for a variety of garden uses including borders, wildflower meadows, and as cut flowers due to its sturdy stems and vibrant color.
- Disease Resistant: Generally resistant to many common plant diseases, ensuring a healthy and robust garden presence.
- Cultural Symbol: The Black-eyed Susan is the state flower of Maryland and is associated with justice in the language of flowers, offering cultural significance and conversation points.
- Vibrant Color: The 'Marmalade' variety offers a rich, warm orange-yellow bloom that can brighten any garden space or floral arrangement.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Dye production: The Black-eyed Susan can be used for creating natural dyes, with various parts of the plant yielding different hues.
- Ink ingredient: The rich pigments in the blossoms can be used to make botanical inks for art or writing.
- Photography subject: The vibrant color and form of Black-eyed Susan make it an excellent subject for botanical photography and art.
- Companion planting: It can enhance the growth of other plants by attracting beneficial insects and pollinators when used in companion planting.
- Crafts: Dried flowers of Black-eyed Susan can be used in floral arrangements, wreaths, or other decorative crafts.
- Educational resource: As a native species, it serves as an educational tool for teaching about local flora and conservation efforts.
- Habitat reconstruction: It can be used in wildflower mixes to restore native habitats and support local ecosystems.
- Erosion control: The plant's root system helps to stabilize soil and prevent erosion in certain landscapes.
- Theme gardens: Black-eyed Susan can serve as a centerpiece in thematic gardens, such as a butterfly or bee garden.
- Culinary decoration: While not commonly eaten, the petals can be used as a colorful garnish for salads and desserts.
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, commonly known as Black-eyed Susan, is associated with justice, likely due to the bold and striking appearance of its flowers, which can be reminiscent of a judge's steady gaze.
- Encouragement: The bright, sunny appearance of Black-eyed Susans symbolizes encouragement and motivation, perhaps because their blooms stand tall and radiate positivity.
- Brightness and Optimism: The golden petals surrounding the dark center can be seen as a symbol of maintaining a positive outlook and finding the light even in the darkness.
- Cheerfulness: Because of their vibrant yellow hue, Black-eyed Susans are often associated with cheerfulness, evoking a sense of joy and happiness.
WaterBlack-eyed Susan 'Marmalade' should be watered thoroughly when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch, which typically means watering once or twice a week during hot, dry periods. The frequency can decrease during cooler, rainy seasons. When watering, aim to provide enough water to moisten the soil to a depth of about 6 to 8 inches, which can be approximately 1 to 1.5 gallons depending on soil type and the size of the plant. It's best to water at the base of the plant to avoid wetting the foliage, which can lead to fungal diseases.
LightBlack-eyed Susan 'Marmalade' thrives best in full sun, meaning at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily. They can tolerate partial shade, but flowering may be reduced in less light. These plants are well-suited for a sunny border or an open area where they can receive ample sunlight throughout the day.
TemperatureBlack-eyed Susan 'Marmalade' is hardy in a wide range of temperatures and can survive minimum winter temperatures down to -30°F. They perform best in summer temperatures ranging from 70°F to 85°F but can endure higher temperatures with proper watering. Avoid planting in areas where the temperature might consistently exceed 90°F without shade or adequate moisture.
PruningBlack-eyed Susan 'Marmalade' should be pruned to remove faded flowers, a process known as deadheading, which encourages more blooms and extends the flowering period. It's also recommended to cut back the plants to about 2 to 4 inches above the ground level after the first killing frost in the fall. This helps to maintain a tidy appearance and can reduce the chance of disease the following spring.
CleaningAs needed
SoilBlack-eyed Susan 'Marmalade' thrives in well-drained soil enriched with organic matter like compost or peat moss. A soil pH of 5.8 to 6.8 is ideal. For the best mix, use equal parts garden soil, compost, and perlite or coarse sand to ensure good drainage and fertility.
RepottingBlack-eyed Susan 'Marmalade' is typically grown as a biennial or short-lived perennial and thus doesn't often require repotting. If grown in containers, repotting every 2-3 years in the early spring is sufficient to refresh the soil.
Humidity & MistingBlack-eyed Susan 'Marmalade' is tolerant of a wide range of humidity levels but prefers average atmospheric humidity. It thrives in outdoor conditions where humidity is naturally regulated.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Place in bright light; water when soil feels dry.
Outdoor
Full sun, well-drained soil; water deeply, then let dry.
Hardiness zone
3-7 USDA
Life cycleRudbeckia hirta 'Marmalade', commonly known as Black-eyed Susan 'Marmalade', begins its life cycle as a seed, which under suitable conditions of warmth and moisture germinates in spring. The seedling stage follows, featuring a pair of cotyledons (seed leaves) before the true leaves emerge. As the plant enters the vegetative stage, it produces a rosette of hairy, lance-shaped leaves and then elongates its stem. The flowering stage occurs in summer to early fall, when it produces daisy-like composite flowers with yellow-orange petals surrounding a dark brown central cone. After pollination, typically by bees and other insects attracted to its vibrant color and nectar, the plant sets seed which are contained in the cone and dispersed by wind or wildlife. Finally, as an annual or short-lived perennial, the plant may die back after seeding, completing its life cycle, although it can persist through self-sowing.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring to early summer
Propogation: The most popular method of propagating Black-eyed Susan 'Marmalade' is by sowing seeds. This can be done in early spring, after the danger of frost has passed, by scattering the seeds on well-drained soil and lightly pressing them in, without completely burying them, as they need light to germinate. Seeds can also be started indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost date for an earlier bloom. When sowing indoors, provide consistent warmth (around 70°F or 21°C) and bright light for the seeds to germinate successfully. Seedlings should be thinned or transplanted to allow for proper growth. Once established, Black-eyed Susan 'Marmalade' is relatively drought tolerant and will self-seed in favorable conditions, making it a lasting addition to the garden.
