Growing Black Eyed Susans: Can They Thrive in the Shade?

Black-eyed Susans (Rudbeckia hirta) are a popular and easy-to-grow flower that can add a splash of bright yellow to any garden. These cheerful flowers are native to North America and belong to the sunflower family.

Black-eyed Susans are known for their bright yellow petals and dark brown, eye-shaped centres. They typically bloom from midsummer to early autumn and can grow up to 3 feet tall. Black Eyed Susans are a favourite of gardeners and landscapers because they are low maintenance, drought resistant and attract butterflies and bees to the garden.

While Black Eyed Susans are known for their love of sunshine, many gardeners wonder if they can grow in shade. In this article we look at whether Black Eyed Susans can thrive in shade and give tips on how to grow them successfully in less than ideal growing conditions.

Sun requirements for black-eyed susans

Black Eyed Susans are known for their love of sunshine and are often found growing in open fields, meadows and along roadsides. These plants need at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight a day to thrive. Without enough sunlight, Black Eyed Susans can become spindly, fail to flower or even die.

As well as plenty of sunlight, Black Eyed Susans prefer well-drained soil that is rich in organic matter. They can tolerate a wide range of soil types, from sandy to clay, but will not grow well in soil that is constantly wet or waterlogged.

Black Eyed Susans are also drought tolerant and do not need much water to thrive. However, they should be watered deeply once a week during prolonged periods of drought to ensure they have enough moisture to support growth and development.

Understanding shade and its effect on black-eyed susans

Shade can have a significant effect on the growth and development of Black Eyed Susans. Although these plants prefer full sun, they can tolerate some shade, especially in hot climates where they can benefit from a break from the intense afternoon sun. However, too much shade can cause Black Eyed Susans to become spindly, fail to flower or even die.

When considering growing Black Eyed Susans in shade, it is important to understand the different types of shade and their effect on plant growth. Full shade, defined as less than 2 hours of direct sunlight per day, is unsuitable for Black Eyed Susans and will result in poor growth and development.

Partial shade, defined as 2-6 hours of direct sunlight per day, may be suitable for Black Eyed Susans but may result in fewer flowers and slower growth. In partial shade, Black Eyed Susans may become taller and spindly as they reach for more light, and the flowers may be smaller and less vibrant.

Dappled shade, created by filtered sunlight passing through tree canopies or other plants, can be ideal for Black Eyed Susans. Dappled shade provides some protection from the intense afternoon sun while still allowing enough light for proper growth and development.

Factors to consider when growing Black Eyed Susans in the shade

When growing Black Eyed Susans in the shade there are several factors to consider to ensure success.

The first factor to consider is the amount of shade the plants will receive. As mentioned above, Black Eyed Susans can tolerate some shade, but too much shade can result in poor growth and development. Part shade is often the best option for growing Black Eyed Susans in less than ideal growing conditions.

Soil quality is another important factor to consider when growing Black Eyed Susans in shade. These plants prefer well-drained soil that is rich in organic matter. If the soil is too heavy and poorly drained, this can lead to root rot and other problems. Amending the soil with compost or other organic matter can help improve drainage and provide the necessary nutrients for healthy growth.

Plant spacing is also important when growing Black Eyed Susans in shade. If the plants are too close together, they may compete for resources and fail to thrive. Plant Black Eyed Susans at least 12-18 inches apart to give each plant enough space to grow and develop properly.

Fertilisation is another important factor to consider when growing Black Eyed Susans in the shade. Although these plants are relatively low maintenance, they do require some fertiliser to support growth and development. Use a balanced fertiliser that is high in phosphorus to encourage flowering and root development.

Tips for successfully growing black-eyed susans in the shade

Growing Black Eyed Susans in the shade may require some extra care and attention, but it is still possible to achieve beautiful, healthy plants. Here are some tips for successfully growing Black Eyed Susans in the shade:

1. Choose the right variety: Some varieties of Black Eyed Susans are more shade tolerant than others. Look for varieties that are labelled as shade tolerant, such as ‘Goldilocks’, ‘Denver Daisy’ or ‘Cherokee Sunset’.

2. Provide enough light: Although Black Eyed Susans can tolerate some shade, they still need plenty of light to grow and develop properly. Make sure the plants receive at least 4-6 hours of direct sunlight each day, either in the morning or afternoon.

3. Improve soil drainage: Black Eyed Susans prefer well-drained soil, which is especially important in shady areas where the soil may be more prone to retaining moisture. Adding compost or other organic matter to the soil can help improve drainage and provide necessary nutrients.

4. Water regularly: Although Black Eyed Susans are drought resistant, they still need regular watering to thrive in the shade. Water deeply once a week or more often during prolonged periods of drought.

5. Mulch around the plants: Adding a layer of mulch around the base of plants can help retain moisture in the soil and regulate soil temperature. This is especially important in shaded areas where the soil may be cooler and more prone to drying out.

6. Monitor for pests and diseases: Black Eyed Susans can be susceptible to a variety of pests and diseases, especially in damp or shady conditions. Inspect the plants regularly for signs of damage or disease and take appropriate action if necessary.

7. Deadhead spent flowers: Regular deadheading of spent flowers can encourage the plant to produce more flowers and promote healthy growth.

8. Fertilise appropriately: Use a balanced, high phosphorus fertiliser to encourage flowering and root development. Be careful not to over-fertilise as this can lead to excessive foliage growth and reduced flowering.

By following these tips, gardeners can successfully grow Black Eyed Susans in the shade and enjoy their bright, cheerful flowers throughout the growing season.

Common mistakes to avoid when growing black-eyed susans in the shade

Growing Black Eyed Susans in the shade can be a bit of a challenge, and there are some common mistakes that gardeners should avoid to ensure their success. Here are some mistakes to avoid when growing Black Eyed Susans in the shade:

1. Planting in too much shade: Although Black Eyed Susans can tolerate some shade, they still need enough sunlight to grow and develop properly. Planting in full shade or too much shade can result in poor growth and development.

2. Overwatering: While Black Eyed Susans need regular watering, they do not like to sit in waterlogged soil. Overwatering can lead to root rot and other problems.

3. Poor soil drainage: Black Eyed Susans prefer well-drained soil, which is especially important in shady areas where the soil may be more prone to retaining moisture. Poor drainage can lead to root rot and other problems.

4. Over planting: Planting Black Eyed Susans too close together can lead to competition for resources and poor growth and development. Give each plant enough space to grow and develop properly.

5. Improper fertilisation: While Black Eyed Susans benefit from fertiliser, over-fertilising or using the wrong type of fertiliser can lead to excessive foliage growth and reduced flowering.

6. Neglecting pest and disease control: Black Eyed Susans can be susceptible to a variety of pests and diseases, especially in damp or shady conditions. Inspect the plants regularly for signs of damage or disease and take appropriate action to prevent the spread of pests or disease.

7. Do not deadhead spent flowers: Deadheading spent flowers is important to encourage the plant to produce more flowers and promote healthy growth. Failure to deadhead can result in reduced flowering and an overall less attractive plant.

8. Not providing enough light: Although Black Eyed Susans can tolerate some shade, they still need enough direct sunlight to grow and develop properly. Make sure the plants receive at least 4-6 hours of direct sunlight each day, either in the morning or afternoon.

By avoiding these common mistakes, gardeners can ensure that their Black Eyed Susans thrive in the shade and produce a beautiful display of bright yellow flowers throughout the growing season.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Black Eyed Susans are sun-loving plants that need at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight a day to thrive. Although they can tolerate some shade, too much shade can lead to poor growth and development. Part shade is often the best option for growing Black Eyed Susans in less than ideal growing conditions.

When growing Black Eyed Susans in shade, it is important to consider factors such as soil quality, plant spacing and fertilisation. Gardeners should also avoid common mistakes such as overwatering, improper fertilisation and neglecting pest and disease control.

By following the tips and guidelines outlined in this article, gardeners can successfully grow Black Eyed Susans in the shade and enjoy their bright, cheerful flowers throughout the growing season. With a little extra care and attention, these sun-loving plants can thrive in less than ideal growing conditions.

FAQs

Can Black Eyed Susans grow in shade?

While Black Eyed Susans prefer full sun, they can tolerate some shade, especially dappled shade. Too much shade can cause poor growth and development, however.

What type of soil do Black Eyed Susans prefer when grown in shade?

Black Eyed Susans prefer well-draining soil that is rich in organic matter. Amending the soil with compost or other organic matter can help improve drainage and provide the necessary nutrients for healthy growth.

What are some tips for successfully growing Black Eyed Susans in shade?

Some tips for successfully growing Black Eyed Susans in shade include choosing a shade-tolerant variety, providing enough light, improving soil drainage, regular watering, mulching around the plants, monitoring for pests and diseases, deadheading spent flowers, and fertilizing appropriately.

What are some common mistakes to avoid when growing Black Eyed Susans in shade?

Common mistakes to avoid when growing Black Eyed Susans in shade include planting in too much shade, overwatering, poor soil drainage, crowded planting, improper fertilization, neglecting pest and disease control, not deadheading spent flowers, and not providing enough light.

What is the best type of shade for Black Eyed Susans?

Dappled shade, which is created by the filtered sunlight that passes through tree canopies or other plants, can be ideal for Black Eyed Susans. Dappled shade provides some protection from the intense afternoon sun while still allowing enough light for proper growth and development.