Rudbeckia hirta ‘Indian Summer’ (black-eyed Susan)

This beautiful wildflower of North America is among a group of coneflowers that are native to the prairies. Among these coneflowers, the black eyed Susan was the first to become domesticated in flower gardens. Large daisy-like flowers with yellow petals and a dark chocolate center grow atop stiff, leafy, stems that give it a bouquet look amid other flowers. Commonly used as an annual or short lived perennial, black-eyed Susan prefers full-sun to partial shade and blooms from July to September. It reseeds itself easily and tolerates heat, drought and a wide range of soil types except for poorly drained ones. Removing spent flowers will ensure continuous blooming until the end of the season, after which it can then be cut down to the ground.