Black-eyed-Susan is a fast-growing, profusely flowering, frost-tender annual climber native to southern and eastern Africa. The plant owes its common name to its striking golden-yellow to orange-yellow flowers with a characteristic dark brown to black centre. From early summer until the first frost, it continuously produces new flowers, providing months of vibrant colour and an exotic appearance. In addition to the familiar yellow-flowered varieties, cultivars are also available with white, cream, apricot and orange flowers. Thanks to its twining stems, Black-eyed-Susan easily climbs fences, trellises, pergolas, obelisks, bamboo canes, wire mesh and balcony railings. Its rapid growth makes it ideal for quickly covering bare walls or fences with fresh green foliage and masses of flowers. It also performs exceptionally well in large pots, window boxes, hanging baskets and patio containers. Without support, the stems cascade gracefully over the edges, making it equally attractive as a trailing plant. The flowers are highly attractive to bees, bumblebees and butterflies, making this species a valuable addition to a pollinator-friendly garden.
The plant grows best in a warm, sunny and sheltered location in fertile, humus-rich, well-drained soil. Regular watering is important, especially during hot and dry periods, but avoid leaving the roots in waterlogged soil for extended periods. Removing faded flowers regularly encourages the production of new flower buds, allowing the plant to bloom even longer. Although Black-eyed-Susan is generally grown as an annual in temperate climates, it can be kept for several years indoors or in a heated conservatory as a houseplant or container plant. It is grown exclusively as an ornamental plant and has no culinary use. Neither the flowers nor the leaves are intended for consumption.
With its warm flower colours, this climbing plant combines beautifully with many other garden plants. Blue-flowering species such as lobelia, salvia, ageratum and heliotrope provide a striking contrast, while the purple flowers of verbena, petunia, tall verbena (Verbena bonariensis) and lavender create a harmonious display. White summer-flowering plants such as bacopa, cosmos, gaura and white petunias also complement the warm flower colours perfectly. For a Mediterranean look, Black-eyed-Susan pairs beautifully with orange and red-flowering plants such as nasturtium, snapdragon, zinnia and dahlia. Ornamental grasses such as fountain grass and feather grass add an airy texture, while dark-leaved plants such as Ipomoea batatas 'Blackie', coleus or purple basil make the yellow flowers stand out even more. It also combines wonderfully with other annual climbing plants, including sweet pea (Lathyrus odoratus), cup-and-saucer vine (Cobaea scandens) and morning glory (Ipomoea), provided each plant has sufficient space and its own climbing support.
Black-eyed-Susan is one of the most popular annual climbers. Thanks to its abundant flowering, rapid growth, easy care and strong appeal to pollinating insects, it creates a lush, colourful and tropical atmosphere in borders, on terraces, balconies, pergolas and fences within a single growing season. Black-eyed-Susan flowers from June till October. Non hardy annual. Height: 200 - 300 cm. Width: 40 - 80 cm.
Indoor sowing: November - February
Outdoor sowing: end of April - beginning of June
Germination: 14 - 21 days
Germination temp.: 18 - 22 °C
Sowing depth: ½ cm
Planting distance: 20 - 30 cm
Planting position: sunny and sheltered
Flowering period: June - October
Black-eyed Susan can be grown as a houseplant. In that case, it can be sown indoors throughout the year in large flower pots (20 cm diameter). During flowering and in sunny conditions, make sure the plants receive sufficient water. Although plants grown in pots usually remain more compact, they should still be supported with, for example, a bamboo cane.
If you want to grow the plants outdoors, sow indoors from November onwards. Sow in individual pots filled with well-moistened seed compost. Sow 1 - seeds per pot and cover them with only a very thin layer of seed compost, as the seeds require light to germinate. Provide plenty of warmth and light, and do not allow the seeds to dry out. Keep the temperature as constant as possible (20 - 22 °C) and prevent it from dropping at night. Transplant the seedlings into larger individual pots as soon as they are large enough to handle. Afterwards, keep them in a slightly cooler place (about 15 °C). Harden off the young plants for about 10 days at the beginning of May by placing them outside during the day in a sunny, sheltered location. They can then be planted in their final position outdoors. Choose a very sunny, sheltered site with well-drained soil and provide sturdy support, such as a fence, trellis, wall or pergola.
Outdoor sowing is possible from late April, once the risk of night frost has passed. Choose a well-fertilised, very sunny and sheltered location with well-drained soil. The soil temperature should be at least 10 °C for successful germination. Sow the seeds about 15 cm apart and lightly rake them into the soil. Cover them with only a very thin layer of seed compost. Keep the soil evenly moist and free from weeds during germination. Thin the seedlings to 20 - 30 cm apart once they are large enough to handle. Provide this climbing plant with support, such as a fence, wall or pergola, and water regularly throughout the growing and flowering season.
