Chim Chiminee Black-Eyed Susan

24-30 tall x 12-18 wide. A selection of the North American native, Chim Chiminee Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia) brings rustic charm to the garden in radiant autumnal hues. Plant Chim Chiminee among grasses and perennials in mixed borders or tuck into containers. Easy to grow in any well-drained soil, plants tolerate drought once established but thrive with regular irrigation. For a longer bloom period, deadhead spent blooms regularly. Allow some late-season blooms to produce seed heads, which are lovely in dried arrangements. To harvest fresh flowers, cut stems when flowers are beginning to open. Rudbeckias commonly cloud the water in vases, add a few drops of bleach to the water to prevent this problem. Rudbeckia hirta tends to be a short-lived perennial. Reinforce the stand by allowing some flowers to develop seed for self-sowing. Allow plants to naturalize in meadows and butterfly gardens through self-seeding.