Brown-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia triloba)

Brown-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia triloba) is a perennial plant that can grow 50cm – 1.5m tall and 50cm – 1.5m wide. In this growing guide we’ll learn the cultivation details and how to plant Brown-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia triloba).
This plant has several common names including: brown-eyed Susan or three-leaved coneflower.
This is a deciduous plant that takes 1-2 years to reach full maturity.
In this article
Plant profile
Common name: brown-eyed Susan, three-leaved coneflower
Scientific name: Rudbeckia triloba
Plant type: Perennials
Habit: Columnar / Upright
Height: 50cm – 1.5m
Spread: 50cm – 1.5m
Foliage: Deciduous
Sunlight: Full Sun
Soil: Clay, Loam
Moisture: Moist but well drained
Garden type: Informal Garden, Wildflower meadow, Wildlife Gardens
Other characteristics: Plants for pollinators, RHS Award of Garden Merit
Seasonal colors
Season | Stem | Foliage | Flower | Fruit |
---|---|---|---|---|
Spring | ||||
Summer | ||||
Autumn | ||||
Winter |

How to plant Brown-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia triloba) – Saharadesertfox, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Perennial plants are one of the largest groups of plants.
They offer color, shape, fragrance and seasonal textures. The variety is such that there are plants to suit all sizes and styles of garden.
Traditionally, perennials are grown in borders, using a wall or hedge as a backdrop to bring out all their splendor during summer.
But since most gardens are not large enough for long borders dedicated exclusively to perennials, they are usually planted in mixed borders and beds, along with shrubs, annuals, biennials, and bulbs that extend the season of interest.
How to plant
In this section we will learn how to plant Brown-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia triloba), know its needs in terms of soil, watering and sun exposure.
Soil
Brown-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia triloba) is a plant that prefers to grow in clay or loam.
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Clay soil is composed of more than 25 percent clay particles. These particles have a high moisture holding capacity and the soil is heavy to dig and can be waterlogged in winter (dry in summer).
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The loam soil is dark, rich in organic matter but balanced in minerals. It offers the best of all worlds, retaining enough water for the plants, but allowing excess moisture to drain away. This is the most desired type of garden soil, perfect for most plants.
It is not very sensitive to soil acidity or alkalinity and grows well in soils with pH acid, alkaline or neutral.
Regarding drainage, Rudbeckia triloba likes to grow in moist but well drained soil.
Sunlight
Brown-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia triloba) should be grown in full sun places.

Cultivation profiles – Growing Brown-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia triloba) – Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons