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Grow a Drought-Tolerant Garden with Black-Eyed Susans

By stacy ling

Gardening Tips & Tricks

Save water and enjoy beautiful blooms with black-eyed Susans! Discover how to grow these drought-tolerant plants and create a vibrant, low-maintenance garden.

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Rudbeckia is a hardy native perennial that can grow up to 2-4 feet tall and 1-2 feet wide. It blooms in late  summer and early fall with bright gold petals surrounding a dark center.

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Hardy to zones 3-8, rudbeckia prefers full sun but can tolerate some  shade. Plant rudbeckia in well-drained soil, but it is also pretty  adaptable to most soil conditions. And can handle drought conditions once established.

While there are no serious insect or disease problems, black-eyed susans  are susceptible to powdery mildew. To help prevent it, always water the  base of plants instead of watering from above. And make it a point to  water in the early morning instead of later in the day.

Slugs and snails can be a problem so keep an eye out for them.

Fertilizing is not necessary. Instead, focus on improving your soil quality by adding compost, aged manure, and leaf mold.

Every few years, divide rudbeckia in spring or fall to maintain plant health, avoid overcrowding, and grow your garden for free.

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Follow along to learn more about how to grow and care for black eyed susan. 

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