Rudbeckia 'Little Suzy' is a vigorous cultivar of Black-eyed Susan, offering bright golden yellow petals with deep brown central cones. Its smaller size and blooming habit make it an ideal choice for any plantings that needs long lasting summer color.
Height & Spread: 12 - 18 in x 12 - 24 in
Bloom Time: Midsummer to early fall
Light Requirements: Full sun
Soil Preference: Average to fertile, well drained soil
Watering Needs: Moderate; occasional watering during extended dry periods
Deer Resistance: Moderate
Native Status
Cultivar derived from Rudbeckia fulgida, which can be found from across Texas to Michigan through New York to Florida.
Wildlife & Insects
Butterflies
- Attracts Painted Ladies and Silvery Checkerspots who are drawn to the bright open blooms for nectar.
Bees
- Visited by sweat bees, bumblebees, and other native pollinators seeking nectar and pollen.
Birds
- Seed heads persist into fall and winter feeding finches and sparrows as they forage.
Spacing & Landscape Use
Spacing Recommendations
- Space 12 - 18 in apart to allow for dense mounding coverage and optimal airflow.
Landscape Placement
- Best used in borders, small pollinator gardens, foundation plantings, or as a sunny groundcover mass.
Companion Plants
- Salvia nemorosa (Woodland Sage) - Its spiky violet blooms contrast beautifully with the round golden flowers of Rudbeckia.
- Echinacea purpurea (Purple Coneflower) - Sturdy and long blooming, it brings height and pollinator appeal alongside 'Little Suzy'.
- Lavandula angustifolia (English Lavender) - Provides silvery foliage and purple flower spikes to complement Rudbeckia’s warm tones.
- Coreopsis verticillata (Threadleaf Coreopsis) - Matches bloom time and color, enhancing the sunny aesthetic of garden beds.
- Panicum virgatum (Switchgrass) - Adds height and texture with its upright habit and soft seed heads in late summer.