Black Eyed Susan - Rudbeckia hirta

Native : (Native in : MA)

Biennial Flower Bright cheerful Yellow daisy like flowers with a brown center.  This plant self re-seeds and grows up to 2 ft tall.  Blooms from June-October

Prefers: Full sun, part sun, average moist- dry soil  heat and drought tolerant

Benefits:

Wildlife: Nectar-Bees, Nectar-Butterflies (bog copper), Nectar-insects, Seeds-Granivorous birds.  Frequented by 29 species of pollen specialist bees.

Host plant for the Silvery Checkerspot, Gorgone Checkerspot, Baltimore Checkerspot. Bordered Patch butterfly as well as 14 other Lepidoptera, including the  Wavy-Lined Emerald Camouflaged Looper.   Host plant 

Companion Plants: Butterfly Milkweed,  Monarda fistulosa(wild bergamot),, Schizachyrium scoparium (little bluestem),  and Sorghastrum nutans(indian grass)