Black-eyed Susan, in the asteraceae family, is sort of a relative of echinacea and is considered a classic perennial. It was the perennial plant of the year in 1999.

I regard black-eyed Susan as a dependable, care-free flowering plant. To me...they are like wildflowers as I never have to worry about diseases, mildew, heat or drought. I love the fact that it is a tough and resilient plant with plenty of bright, yellow flowers, symbols of cheerfulness. It also has a long blooming period.

All my black-eyed Susans are in the back yard where they get the afternoon sun even quite late in the day.

They have been part of my perennial garden right from the beginning.

Black-eyed Susan belongs in the genus rudbeckia, the name given by Carl Linneaus (1707-1778) in honor of a botany professor, Olaus Rudbeck (1630-1702) and his son of the same name, also a botanist and a friend of Linneaus, according to Julia Brittain's The Plant Lover's Companion.

Black-eyed Susan is the state flower of Maryland.