Black Eyed Susans Hardiness
by Terry
(Battleboro NC )
Do they multiply, will they come back every season?
Doug says that there are multiple articles and comments on this page about this plant but the specific answer to this question is that "it depends". :-)
It depends on the variety you're planting. Some are annuals, some biennial (flower second year and die) and others are bone-hardy perennials. So - tell me which you've planted and I'll tell you what your chances are that they'll return next year in NC. The odds are that all but the annuals will.
Do they multiply. Yes. If you let them set seed and the birds/ants don't get the seed. You can save your own seed and sow it yourself next spring just in case you might have annuals. You'll know when you see the older plants popping up which you have (or conversely if they're all dead - you know as well) :-)
But it really does depend on what you're growing whether they're going to come back for you.
In NC, you're going to find most will come back. Here in Canada, we need the tougher ones.
Hope that helps.
End of Season
by Betty Horvath
(Grand Rapids, MI)
Do I cut the Blackeyed Susan back for winter or let is die completely and pull out of the ground?
Doug says that if this is a perennial plant - cut it to the ground. If it is an annual plant, then allow it to die back and pull it out.
Keeping through the winter
by Jillian
(Clemson, SC)
Hello,
I have this variety:
If I trim it back in the winter and move it indoors, do you think it will return in the summer?
Doug says that the variety you sent me to (I've deleted the url) is an annual vine and not a perennial. It is a Thunbergia not Rudbeckia
So yes, if you trim it back, give it lots of light and tender loving care you can get it through the winter.
Having said that - it's so easy from seed that it's hardly worth the effort.
Black eyed susan overwintering
by Kathy Malinconico
(Edison,NL USA)
We live in NJ,what do we need to do for our black eyed Susan do for next year? Cut them back?Leave them alone?
Doug says that all he does with perennial Black Eyed Susan is cut them to the ground. That's enough for them to be sure. I often collect the seed and spread it around to where I might like more. Or save the seed if it's an annual variety so I can sow them next spring.
But generally, with a perennial plant such as this hardy one, there's nothing you need to do other than clean it up.