3 

Brown Eyed Susan

Height: 24 inches (3 feet in bloom)
Spread: 18 inches
Sunlight: Full sun
Hardiness Zone: 4a
Other Names: Gloriosa Daisy, Coneflower

A cheerful, sun-loving biennial or short-lived perennial producing abundant yellow daisy-like flowers with dark brown centers. Brown Eyed Susan thrives in a wide range of soils, tolerates light shade and drought, and brings vibrant color to borders, meadows, and containers from mid-summer through fall.

Ornamental Features

Brown Eyed Susan produces masses of bright yellow blooms with rich brown centers atop tall, branching stems from mid-summer into mid-fall. The flowers are excellent for cutting, and their long bloom period ensures lasting garden color. Its medium-green, lobed foliage remains attractive throughout the growing season, adding fine texture beneath the flowers.

Landscape Attributes

This upright, spreading plant has a medium texture that blends easily into borders and mixed garden settings. It is easy to grow, adaptable, and highly tolerant of varied soil conditions. Brown Eyed Susan attracts butterflies and pollinators while being generally deer resistant. As a biennial or short-lived perennial, it self-seeds lightly in the garden, often maintaining its presence year after year. Minimal maintenance is needed beyond cutting back old stems in late fall.

Recommended Applications

- Mass plantings
- Border edging
- General garden use
- Pollinator gardens
- Naturalized meadows
- Container planting

Planting & Growing

Brown Eyed Susan grows about 24 inches tall, extending up to 3 feet when in bloom, with a spread of approximately 18 inches. Space plants about 14 inches apart for dense coverage. It grows quickly and typically completes its life cycle in two years - producing foliage the first year and flowers the second - though it may reseed naturally.

This plant thrives in full sun and adapts well to both dry and moist soils. It is drought-tolerant once established, making it excellent for low-water or xeriscape gardens. Brown Eyed Susan tolerates a wide range of soil types and pH levels, as well as urban conditions. It benefits from a light winter mulch in exposed areas. Native to parts of North America, it is an ideal choice for wildlife-friendly and native garden designs. Suitable for in-ground or container use, where its upright form serves well as a vertical accent or centerpiece.