Rudbeckie 'Indian Summer' Black-Eyed Susan

Add a burst of bold, golden colour to your garden with Rudbeckia 'Indian Summer' Black-Eyed Susan. This award-winning, heat-tolerant perennial produces huge, daisy-like flowers up to 4–9 inches across, with rich golden-yellow petals and deep chocolate-brown centres. Blooming from midsummer well into fall, these sturdy, long-stemmed flowers are excellent for cutting and attract butterflies and bees. Plants are vigorous, low-maintenance, and drought-tolerant once established. Hardy in zones 3–9.

Minimum Seed Count: 100  
Days to Maturity: 90–100 days  
Life Cycle: Perennial (short-lived, but returns reliably in zones 3–9)  
Height: 36–40 inches  
Spread: 18–24 inches  
Light: Full sun

Outdoor Sowing (Easy)

When: After last frost, when soil has warmed.  
How: Sow seeds ¼ inch deep and cover lightly with soil.  
Space: Thin to 18–24 inches apart.  
Water: Keep soil evenly moist until germination.  
Thin: Snip weakest seedlings, leaving strongest every 18–24 inches.

Indoor Sowing (Head Start)

When: 6–8 weeks before last frost.  
How: Sow ¼ inch deep in seed-starting mix.  
Light: Give bright light after sprouts appear.  
Transplant: Harden off over 7–10 days, then plant outdoors 18–24 inches apart after frost danger.

Tip for Faster Germination

For faster germination, soak seeds in warm (not hot) water for 4–6 hours before sowing. Alternatively, chill seeds in the refrigerator for 1–2 weeks before planting to break dormancy and encourage quicker sprouting.