Black-eyed Susan, or Rudbeckia hirta, grows to a height of 1-3 feet and produces cheery yellow blossoms from June to October. Native to North America, Black-eyed susans attract a particularly wide diversity of pollinating insects including flies, beetles, moths, small butterflies, bees, wasps, and sawflies. The Silvery Checkerspot butterfly uses Rudbeckia species as a host plant. Seed is consumed by song birds, especially goldfinches.

The preference is full to partial sun, moist to medium conditions, and fertile loamy soil, although soil with some gravel or clay is tolerated.